In Sunshine or Rain...

I love to paper piece. When I saw the umbrella in this stamp set by Daydream Designs, I knew it was just made to be paper pieced.  I ended up paper piecing the entire image.  I did take a little help from my Copic and colored the top of the pocket instead of trying to line up that tiny piece.  Copics also added a tiny amount of shadow around the image. 

After die-cutting the image panel, it was matted on a petite scalloped oval panel.  To go along with these beautiful Prima papers, I added quite a bit of pearl & sparkle.  A pair of tweezers made applying the individual pearls a breeze.  A pearl was also added to the center of the umbrella.  Pearls were also added to the decorative photo corners.

The entire umbrella was given a coat of stickles for some extra pizzazz. The large flower in the upper left corner had some glitter already on it.  However, it also got a little attention from the Stickles bottle as did the two smaller flowers. The ribbon used to keep this gate-fold card closed also has some shimmer so as you can tell, this card is not lacking for sparkle!

I enjoy making gate-fold cards and just can't help but do "interior decorating" on them.  I used two of the sentiments that coordinate with this stamp set and printed them to be one thought: "Sunshine or rain...I'm here for you."  I didn't want to cover up all the pretty patterned paper, so I matted the sentiment on an oval and let the paper be the star.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill (Two Scoops - Cherries Jubliee)
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Daydream Designs digis (Sunshine and Rain Sentiment Set, Sunshine and Rain Digi Set)
Ink:  Copic Markers (C0, E29, Colorless Blender)
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (The Paper Studio), ribbon (Ribbon Trends), flowers (Prima), Spellbinders (Decorative Photo Corners, Petite Ovals Small & Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Stickles (Star Dust)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Flower Power
Divas by Design #61 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday #54 - Anything Goes/Sentiment
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #25 - Use Stripes (mine are on the interior of my card)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #165 - Something broken brought back together (the front panel of my card is "broken" and brought back together by the image panel & ribbon)
Spark Your Creativity Now Challenge #3 - Anything Goes

The two sets I used on this card also have a coordinating digi paper set and a pre-colored image set available.  Daydream Designs has stamps for all occasions.  I hope you'll stop by the store and pick up some for yourself.

Thanks for visiting today.  Come back soon!!

Silent Night Holy Night - SNSDC77

It's time for another challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is to use stitching on your card.  It can be either real or faux.  I have stitched ribbon and I did faux stitching around the edge of my card. I pierced holes all along the edge of the main panel and then drew my "stitches" with a pen. Like my real stitching, it's crooked. Oh well!  That's "art imitating life" right?

There is a snowflake embellishment up in the left corner but it's hard to see in the picture.  I used blue "pearls" to accent it to help it show up a little better.  Some of the snowflakes in the paper have star dust stickles in their centers -- of course, that's also hard to see in the picture.  On the white embossed lower panel, I used some left over bling from the flourish to accent the centers of some of the snowflakes.

I did quite a bit of interior decorating -- the camera angle makes the writing panel look huge.  It's really a 5.5" square card.  :)  I was just trying to show the whole interior but ended up with a funky angle.

Here is a close up of the interior upper panel.  I carried the stitching theme throughout the entire card.  This upper panel has reversed matting (I'm sure there's another name for it).  The Scripture verse is actually on the bottom and the kraft & snowy blue papers are layered on top.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Bo Bunny (Snowfall)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (Christmas Carol Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Snowflakes), Spellbinders Label 3, ribbon (The Paper Studio), Prima Say It in Crystal Flourish & rhinestones, snowflake (Michael's), blue pearls (Oriental Trading), Stickles (star dust), SU Stampin' Write pen (Night of Navy), Signo white opaque pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ #162 - Something that speaks calm or peace to you (snow is peaceful and calming to me -- a snowy field or sky just calms my soul)
Stamptacular Sunday #186 - No Rules (aka anything goes)
Pile It On #43 - A Holiday Card (obviously I chose Christmas)
Krafty Journal - Inside & Out
Word Art Wednesday #51 - Scripture or positive sentiment
Delightful Challenge - Use stitching-real or faux
Whimsy Challenge #51 - All Things Sparkly
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #24 - Stitching (real or faux)
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #31 - Christmas
52 Card Pickup - Make a card
Crafty Friends Challenge #9 - Glitz & Glam

I hope you'll play along with us this week in our stitching challenge.  I do appreciate you taking the time to stop by and visit today.  Have a good weekend.

Because There's You

I have a quick card to share with you today.

I have had this image by Clear Dollar Stamps colored for awhile now.  I have been waiting on just the right card for him.  When I saw this week's Sketch with a Twist over at Mark's Finest Paper's Speedy TV, I knew he'd found a home.  The twist this week is to make a non-traditional (no squares or rectangles) shaped card.  I used by Grand Nestabilities for this cloud-like shape.  I had to trace outside the smaller size and hand-cut it to get a mat.


Supplies
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Textured Cream Sheet Music)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (True Friend Digital Sentiments), Clear Dollar Stamps (dog image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Ovals, SU Corner Rounder, Copic markers, The Twinery baker's twine (cappuccino), brads (Hot Off the Press - Music Notes)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MFP SpeedyTV Sketch with a Twist #14 - use sketch and make a non-square/rectangle card
Word Art Wednesday #48 - Use encouraging sentiment
52 Card Pick-up #39 - make a card
Sentimental Sunday #122 - 3-2-1 (3 brads, 2 colors of cardstock, 1 adorable dog image)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #159 - Use music elements (paper & brads)
Tuesday Throwdown #118 - Cute & cuddly image
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #29 - Any shape but square

Have a good day!

Rhubarb's Punkins - SNSDC73

It's time for another challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  This week, It's Hip to Be Square.  We want to see your square projects...it could be a square card or square project (square scrapbook page, photo cube, square paper box, etc.).

I chose to make a 5.5" square card with the adorable Rhubarb.  I really like this image of him with his wagon of "punkins."  I colored the image with my copics and then used lots of sponging to highlight around the image.  I also used sponging on the Scripture panel as well.  I handmade the buttons with a little help from a SU Sizzix embosslit die.  I cut several and stacked them to thickness.  Sponging and DMC floss finished off the buttons.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (brown and cardbase), Bazzill Dotted Swiss (clover leaf), Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Rhubarb's Punkins, Encouragement Scripture)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles large and small), SU Sizzix Embosslit (Sweet Buttons), Offray ribbon, DMC floss (ecru), Copics (YR07, Y38, YG03, YG05, W-1, E04, E07, E08, E09, E11, E29, E31, E33, E35)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #121 - Autumn
Word Art Wednesday #47 - Use Scripture or an encouraging sentiment
Love to Create #34 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Sketch #72
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Wed. Challenge (PWC225) - Fall inspired
52 Card Pick-Up #39  - make a card
Shopping Our Stash #70 - Fur or feathers
Tuesday Throwdown #117 - Fall colors
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #158 - use something handmade (I made my buttons)
Catered Crop - Knot Now (tie a knot -- mine are thru my buttons)
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - use a food item
DCC & Friends #3 - Use a character (Rhubarb)

If you participated in last week's September Digi Release Blog Hop, don't forget to stop by the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog to see if you are the winner of the entire release.  Thank you to all those who left comments here for me.  I appreciate every one of them.  Thanks for adding a smile to my day.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll stop back again soon.

Owl Pray for You

I *discovered* a new card design the other day and just had to give it a try.  Diane's Daydream Designs has great digi stamps and tutorials.  On her blog she has several free tutorials and the one that REALLY caught my eye was the one for a Bookmark Card.  Several friends & family members are avid readers so I have a feeling I'll be revisiting this design.  Diane's tutorial was easy to follow and I really like how my card turned out.

Here's a picture with the bookmark removed

I've had these Spellbinders Owl dies for awhile but hadn't used them yet.  This was the perfect project for their debut.  I used them as part of the interior decorating.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello, Fall!)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Opal Owl, Owl Sentiments 2)
Embellishments/Tools:  Pearls (SU), baker's twine (The Twinery), Sharpie extra fine marker (brown), Copics (E35, E37, Y38, C-1, W-1, YG 03, YG05), Spellbinders (Circle Large & Small, Eyelet Circle, Labels 4, Owls), SU 1-3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch, Paper Studio 1-7/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, Fiskars Border Punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Love to Create #33 - Things with Wings
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #157 - Harvest, Fall/Autumn Project
Pile it Up #38 - It's a Stitch Up (real or faux)
Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Autumn colors
The Crafty Pad #188 - Autumn colors
52 Card Pickup #37 - Make a card
Word Art Wednesday #46 -  Use an encouraging sentiment
Divas by Design #53 - lovely layers - 4 or more layers
Crazy for Challenges #154 (C4C154) - Anything goes with a fall twist

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

Coneflower Happy Birthday

I decided to make a card today just for fun.  No design team assignment....just because.  :)

I colored the coneflowers and butterfly with Copics and then used my nesties to cut it out.  I wanted to play along with this week's Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge (SC402) so that was the design for the card.  I added some bling, a ribbon and brought back an old favorite...STICKLES!  I've missed them.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Sweet Threads)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Coneflowers & Butterfly, Feminine Birthday Greetings)
Embellishments/Tools:  Prima Say It In Crystals, Stickles (Icicle), Martha Stewart Border Punch, Ribbon Trends Organdy ribbon, Copics (YG03, YG05, Y11, Y13, Y15, BG15, BG000, R81, R83, R85, C0), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals small & large, Deckled Rectangles small & large, M'Bossabilities Splendid B)

I'm entering this card in the following additional challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #156 - Brights - no neutrals, black or brown
Love to Create #32 - Use ribbon or twine
Tuesday Throwdown #115 - Use gems
Shopping Our Stash #68 - 3, 2, 1 {3 colors of cardstock, 2 digi stamps, 1 patterned paper)
Whimsy #51 - Anything Goes
The Crafty Pad #187 - Use Scraps ( for the papers - only the card base was not a scrap)
Paper Pretties Wednesday (PWC223) - Use paper punches (I used MS border punch)
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC56) - Make a birthday card
Pile It On #37 - use patterned paper
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Scrap Creations  - Pick 3 of the following: ribbon, pearls, red, blue, die cuts/punches, glitter, distress, embossing, buttons, paper piecing...I used die cuts/punches, ribbon, & glitter
52 Card Pickup #36 - Make a card

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come back on Friday for the next Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.

Psalm 46:1 - SNSDC68

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is a photo inspiration challenge.  These are always an extra challenge for me for some reason.  Here's the challenge photo from Martha Stewart Weddings:

When I look at this photo what stands out to me is fall, orange and layers.  So, my card uses fall colors with orange being a main one and lots of layers.

My card this time is 5" x 7".  I inked the paper edges and added faux stitching to the main panels.  I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO255) for the overall design.  I added the horizontal ribbon, bow and bling.

Supplies:
Card base:  The Paper Company
Cardstock:  Recollections (tan, cream), Bazzill (brown)
Patterned Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello, Fall)
Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (Psalm 46:1)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk (chestnut roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  Offray ribbon, Bow Easy, America Crafts Slick Writer (black), Spellbinders (Labels 1, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5). Me & My Big Ideas bling

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ#153 - Sentiment only, no image
Word Art Wednesday #42 - Use Scripture
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Pins & Needles (use stitching or a pin on your project)
Divas By Design #49 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash #65 - Use a sketch from anywhere and link it
Simon Says Stamp & Show - No Rules
Whimsy Inspiration Challenge #50 - Lots of Layers
The Crafty Pad #184 - To Die For (Use dies/punches)
52 Card Pick-Up #34 - Make a card
Stampendous - Make the sentiment the focus

I hope you'll play along with us this week and show us your project.  Remember to use digi stamps only for the challenge.  Thanks for stopping by today. 

SNSDC62 - Fun Folds

We have a fun challenge this week on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog....Fun Folds.  If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know I love fancy/fun folds.  It can be any fold you like as long as it's not a standard "fold in half" type card.

When I was making my card for this challenge, we were in the middle of packing for last week's move.  So I kept it pretty simple and just did a gate-fold card.  They are one of the first fancy/fun fold cards I tried.  Here's a great Gate Fold tutorial from SCS.  My card folds to a 4.25" square.

 

Moving is always stressful and my husband had been working hard.  I wanted to give him a little note to let him know all his hard work was greatly appreciated.  This sentiment from the Love Sentiments set was perfect.  I tucked the sentiment panel behind one of the hearts from the All My Heart set to help keep the card closed.  Even though it's a masculine card, I thought this pearl flouish from Prima worked well.

Since my husband likes when I decorate the inside of my cards, I made sure to line the inside panels with patterned paper.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, DCWV, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (All My Heart, Love Sentiments)
Embellishments/Tools:  Prima Say It In Pearls, Stickles (Cinnamon), Spellbinders (Standard Circles Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #147 - Follow the "plan" (at least 1 circle/oval, at least 2 papers, at least one embellishment) 
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Must have text
Scrap Creations - Use something that you've gotten new within the last two months (mine is the pearl flourish)
Shopping Our Stash #59 - use an extra fold or pleat on your card -- for the stash part, I've had the paper, stamps & stickles for a looongg time)
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge (4CCC-98) - Stripes

I hope you'll play along with us this week in our fun fold challenge.  Remember, you don't have to use SNS images (though we love it when you do) but you do have to use a digi image.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm off to continue job-hunting.  ugh!

SNSDC61 - Beach & Sand

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a card or project that has to do with the Beach or Sand.  I chose to use both.  I used the Ocean Paradise digi stamp and a sentiment from Enjoy the View.  After coloring my image with Copic Markers, I used Crystal Effects from Stampin' Up on the water and also used Crystal Effect to glue real sand from Nags Head, NC, on the sand section of the image.  After sponging in the sky, I drew a few birds.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Hello, Spring)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy digis (Enjoy the View, Ocean Paradise)
Embellishments/Tools - Copics, Offray Ribbon, SU Crystal Effects, CM fine tip black journaling pen, Spellbinders Grand Labels One, and sand from the beach in Outer Banks, NC

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #146 - Use Something New (my paper & a new technique - I've never added sand to a card before) 
Tuesday Throwdown #104 - Summertime (nothing says summer to me more than the beach)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Use an image and text
Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards Challenges #16 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm going to keep this quick as we made an "across several states" move yesterday.  We'd appreciate your prayers as we get settled.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps June Digi Release Blog Hop

It is time for another Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge, but today we are very excited to add something more!  Since it's also time for the June Digi Release, the SNSDC Ladies are bringing you a fun blog hop to introduce all the new digis.  You'll want to stop by each blog to see the beautiful samples made with this month's new releases.  And while you're hopping, be sure to leave a comment on each blog.  Why?  One of the ladies is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments left on her blog post.

What will the winner receive?  I'm so glad you asked.  The winner will receive the entire June Digi Release!!  The winner will be announced next Friday, June 29th, on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.

This week's challenge is near & dear to most ladies' hearts....Bling!  Just add rhinestones, pearls, jewels, etc. to your project.

I was able to play with the new Dahlia digi this week.  I chose to paper piece the flower in 3 different patterned papers.  The layers were attached to each other with a glue dot and a button finished off the center of the flower.  Before attaching each layer, I burnished the flower petals with a pen top on a mouse pad (high tech aren't I?) to make them curl on the edges.  A little glitter pen provides some extra sparkle to each petal.

For my bling, I added rhinestones and pearls.  While I don't think you can see it in the picture, I added some glitter pen dots to the center of each of the yellow flowers in the background paper.  I also accented the die cut edge with the glitter pen.  This card definitely has some sparkle!!

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill Two Scoops (Key Lime Pie)

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Dahlia, Encouragement Scripture Set)

Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5), Sakura Clear Star glitter pen, Studio G rhinestones, Recollections pearl flourish, DMC floss, Morex Corp ribbon, button from stash

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

CPS 270 - Sketch

Papertake Weekly - Bingo (ribbon/diecut/button, ribbon/free/blooms)

Word Art Wednesday #33 - Use Scripture 

Stampin' Sisters in Christ #144 - Create something that reflects you (I like to use Scripture; a little bling but not too much and pearls more than rhinestones; in general I like a feminine look - I enjoy being female)

Divas by Design #40 - Use a diecut

Terrifically Thrilling Thursdays - Anything Goes

I hope you'll play along with us this week. Just a few things to keep in mind as you play....

Please remember to use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~Please share a link to your creation using the Linky feature at the end of this post. If the link feature is down, please add a link with your comment.

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC59.

Every card you enter into our challenges throughout May, you will get one entry to be eligible for winning 3 digis of your choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. Plus, if your card is used SNSS digi stamps, it will be two entries!! Be sure to play along every week... The more you play and/or use SNS digis, the more chances you get to win!!

Every week, we spotlight one participant who uses SNSS digi images for their card or project.

One of the featured participants throughout June will also have a chance to be a Guest Designer for the month of August!

Have you checked new Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps Digi Challenge FACEBOOK page? We will give away THREE digital stamps (3 winners, each gets 1 free digi of their choice) when we get to 100 LIKES!

Don't forget to stop by each of the Digi Design Team Ladies' blogs and leave a comment for your chance to win the entire June digi release. 

Here is the blog hop list to see June Digi Release-Bling it On Challenge creations...

Cathy Wallington

Ceal Pritchett

Cyndi Bundy

Makiko Jones

Melinda Gleissner

Patricia Hays

Stephanie Serrano

Stephanie Wright - That's Me!!

Wendy Jordan

Korin Sutherland

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll come back often.

Matthew 5:16 -- WAW #30

It's hard to believe that this is my last week as a Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this month and want to thank Karen for the honor of designing for WAW.

This week's verse is Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." If you notice in this verse, the fact that your light is shining is accepted as an obvious fact.  The question is whether our works will glorify the Lord or not.  We are a witness for the Lord whether we want to be or not.  Even when we don't realize it, people are watching us.  Our challenge is to consistently be a good witness for the Lord; a witness that will bring honor and glory to Him.  Consistently. I don't know about you but for me,...that's a big challenge!

Word Art Wednesday's sister challenge blog is Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  The challenge over there this week is to "do something on your card that you are afraid of."  For me, CAS is a challenge and the idea of a one layer card gave me the willies.  Since I think just about everything needs a mat (I know at least one of my friends is laughing at that comment), this was a real stretch!  However, I accepted the challenge and made a one layer card {for me embellishments don't count as a layer. *grin*}.

After printing my Scripture on the card, I scored the borders 1/2" from all four edges using my Scor-buddy.  Then I stamped the flowers using fluid chalk ink and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder.  A ribbon at the top and silver rhinestones for the flower centers and it was done!

In the spirit of the Shopping Our Stash challenge mentioned below: I was able to use several supplies that have been in my stash for a long time.  I've probably had the flower stamp for well over a year (maybe 2-3?), the rhinestones have lived in my stash for quite awhile too.  Well, come to think of it...except for the Scripture digi, everything on this card, including the ink & embossing powder, has been in my stash for at least 6 mos.  :)  So, shop your stash....you'll not only save money but if nothing else, you'll make room for more goodies.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill
Stamps:  Word Art Wednesday Scripture Digi, Studio G (flowers)
Ink:  ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  embossing powder (Stampendous - Detail Clear), silver rhinestones (Michael's), ribbon (Michael's), Scor-Buddy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #141 - do something on your card you are afraid of
Sentimental Sunday #104 - Pocket full of posies
Love to Create #17 - Add a Sentiment
Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C138) - One layer (embellishments OK)
Scripture Thursday - use Scripture on your card
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
My Time to Craft #180 - Use two of anything {I used my flower stamp twice}
Shopping our Stash #53 - Use anything flower or floral related
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Each Card Tells a Story - Scripture Sunday #3

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see what the rest of the design team have done and to pick up your free digi Scripture.

Thankful for You - SNSDC55

This week we have an easy challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog...make a "Thank You" card.  We all have people we need to thank, whether it's for a gift or kindness we've received or for just what they mean to you.

If you have visited my blog for very long, you know I love fancy fold cards.  I recently came upon this Double Gate Fold Card tutorial on Dawn O's blog.  I wanted to give it a try but also wanted more patterned paper.  So, this is my version.

I cut apart a Say it with Crystal bling flourish and used part on the upper left side and part on the lower right.  I then cut the reminder into individual rhinestones to use on the sentiment panel on the front and on a corner accent on the interior.

 When you open the card, the bling flourish on the bottom right side becomes a butterfly's flight trail.

Here is a pic of the card opened up.  I did lots of interior decorating on this one.  Both the sentiment for the front and the sentiment on the inside are from the same Many Thanks digi stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Many Thanks)
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (tea dye)
Embellishments/Tools:  Flowers, rub-ons, Say It with Crystals bling flourish (Prima), Spellbinders (Circles small, Lacey Circles, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5, Decorative Photo Corners), SU Journal Writer (close to cocoa)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ #140 - Build up your card 
Tuesday Throwdown #99 - 3D 
Scrap Creations Bingo - I used the middle column - flowers, die cuts, digi image
Divas by Design #36 - Fabulous Flourishes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us in this week's challenge.  I also hope you'll give one of these Double Gate Fold Cards a try.  They are truly easy to make but can have such a nice "Wow!" factor.

All Things Grow with Love

I decided to make a card just for fun -- not for a DT assignment but just because.  I used NO digi products on the entire card!  It was fun -- I've missed my rubber stamps!  I really like how it turned out and the elegant look. 

I used this week's Mojo Monday {MOJO 242} sketch and turned it sideways.  I embossed the solid pink panel with a CB embossing folder and then inked it to bring out the embossing.  I also inked the edges of all my papers for a distressed look.  My sentiment was stamped in brown ink and then cut out and matted with Labels Four dies.  My new Edgeabilities provide a lacey look and the Say It with Crystal bling flourish adds some sparkle.  I finished off the sentiment panel with a Prima rose that has some glitter.

Supplies:
Card Base (5 x 7) - Recollections
Cardstock - Bazzill, Recollections (used inside)
Patterned Paper - Basic Grey (Bittersweet)
Stamps - Inkadinkado (Expressions), Studio G (double hearts - used inside card)
Ink - Memento (Rich Cocoa), Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools - crystal flourish (Say it in Crystals by Prima), flower (Prima), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), Spellbinders (Labels Four, Labels Four Small, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5), SU Journal Writer (Close to Cocoa)

Challenges:
MOJO242 - Sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - build up your card
Paper Sundaes Final Challenge - Pretty in Pink

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.

2 Timothy 1:7 - WAW #28

I am truly enjoying my month as a Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday.  I'm so glad this month has 5 Wednesdays so that I get to play a little longer.  :)

This week our Scripture verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 which states, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  This verse encourages me that the Lord doesn't want me to be fearful.  Instead He wants me to be strong in Him, to be loving and to be thinking clearly.  So when I find myself fretting and fearful about a certain situation, I know it's Satan trying to get my eyes off the Lord and to discourage me.

After coloring my bird with copics (I make no pretense to be color accurate in my coloring of birds and flowers), I colored a 2nd set of the flowers and fussy cut them.  I then popped up the flowers in front of the bird on pop dots for some added dimension.  You can see this a little better in the picture below.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Prima (madeline)
Stamps:  WAW 5-15-12, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Bluebird digi)
Inks:  ColorBox Fluid Chalk
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (Offray), rhinestones (Best Occasions), Stickles (yellow), Copics, Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circles large and small; Labels 4 and Labels 4 small), Sakura Clear Star pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture
Mojo Monday 241 - Sketch
Stampin Sisters in Christ #139 - Use a bird, bug or animals
Paper Sundaes #120 - Things with wings
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #39 (PPMC39) - Glitter (I used a glitter pen on the flowers and stickles for the flower centers. I also used a dot of glitter pen on the bird's eye)
Papertake Weekly - In the garden

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week at Word Art Wednesday.  Don't forget to stop by and pick up your free Scripture digi.  To play along, you may use the freebie or another other Scripture you're using on your project.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

I want to share one more card I made for my husband for Resurrection Sunday.  As you probably know, my husband and I work for a music company (he's a bi-vocational pastor), he's a pianist and we just generally like music.  So, I went with music paper, a music embossing folder for the inside of my tent card and a favorite hymn title as my sentiment.

I really enjoyed the tent card I made several weeks ago, so I decided to make another one.  I kept the card pretty simple so that the focus would be on the empty cross.  I'm so thankful for what the Lord did for us on the cross and that He paid our sin debt once and for all.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Old Rugged Cross digital stamp), computer generated sentiment
Tools:  Spellbinders (Eyelet Circles, Standard Circles), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Allegro), ColorBox fluid Chalk (chestnut roan), Copics, CM square punch (used to make banner)

I'm entering this card in this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #134 to make a joy-ful card or one that celebrates something.

Thanks for stopping by today!

SIWS36 -- Abundant Grace

This week's challenge verse at the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is 2 Corinthians 4:15, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

If we look at 1 Corinthians 4 as a whole, we will find that it's talking about how the Christian should live and specifically, how the Christian should live when faced with hardship and trials.  The first part of our focus verse, "for all things are for your sakes" is pretty easily understand and something we've talked about before.  The Lord uses trials in our lives for our benefit.  But if we look further into the verse, we will find that not only do our trials benefit us, but they can benefit the church as a whole.  As others see us go through trials, and see the Lord's grace at work in our lives, it will bring encouragement and thanksgiving to them.  Thanksgiving?  Yes, in the sense that they are thankful for how the Lord is working and helping us thru the trial.

I looked up the word "redound" at Dictionary.com. It defines redound as to have an advantageous or disadvantageous effect (on): brave deeds redound to your credit. Using this definition we can see that when we go thru trials and allow the Lord's grace to help us thru them, not only does it encourage other Christians but it brings (redounds) glory to the Lord. Doesn't that put a whole different light on trials? 

When I made my original card, I goofed and put the main panel on the card base so that the card opened backwards.  I cut off the card front and turned the card into an easel card.  As one person has said about making cards, there are no mistakes, just opportunities for creativity.  :)


For my card this week, I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS146) for the main panel of the card. This week it's a sketch with a spin - which means there's a prize.  The spin is to use dies or punches.  I used several spellbinders on this card.


I colored the bird and flower image with copics and fussy cut them.  I colored an extra set of flowers to use as accents.  What type of bird is this?  I don't know...I just thought she looked pretty colored this way.  :)  Pearls, ribbon and stickles added my finishing touches.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (kraft), Misc from scrap bin (blue)
Pattern Paper:  BG (Out of Print)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Amazing Grace, New Creature, Bluebird digi stamps)
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (Michael's), Pearls (Oriental Trading), Stickles (yellow), Copic markers, Spellbinders (Circles Lg & sm, Lacey Circles, Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large, Big Scalloped Border Petites), Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #127 - Image must be or include a flower 
Shelly's Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #86 - Use blue in your project
Papertake Weekly - Getting Krafty
Wordart Wednesday #16 - Use Scripture on your project 
Scripture Thursday #17 - Use Scripture 
Paper Pretties Wed. Challenge (PWC194) - Use dies or punches

I hope you'll play along with us this week for the Say It With Scripture Challenge.  Don't forget to stop by and get your free digi.

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

Be of Good Courage

I have a card using one of the Clear Dollar Stamps Scripture sets to show you today.  Scriptures of Hope has six Scripture verses in this beautiful set.

I used my petite oval spellbinders to make a shadowbox type effect.  To give it some additional depth all the layers above the sentiment panel are popped up above the sentiment on pop-dots.  You may be able to see it a little better in the photo below.

I used pearls on every other scallop, a pearl flourish, some green bling (in the pics they almost look clear but they are a deep green) and a green bow to finish off the front of the card.  I really like this patterned paper and didn't want to cover it up too much.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  SU
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Scriptures of Hope)
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (KaiserCraft), Pearls and Pearl Flourish (Recollections), Bling (Studio 18), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals small & large, Petite Scalloped Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #149 - Diamond or Pearls (I most definitely prefer pearls on my cards)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #124 - a project true to my style (I like these colors and tend to use pearls, ribbon, & lots of layers)
Stamp TV Mix-It-Up Monday (STV12mon2) - Pins or Pearls (Pearls for me!)
Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C121) - Lots of Layers
Word Art Wednesday #13 - Use Scripture
Scripture Thursday #14 - Use Scripture on your project
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - All Tied Up (use ribbon, twine or something that can be tied)
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC191) - Use ribbon or twine


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a great day.

Snowy Birthday

I have a winter birthday card to share with you today.  I used one of the new pre-colored releases from Clear Dollar Stamps (CDS) and paired it with the sentiment from an older CDS digi stamp set.

I am really enjoying using my new Grand Spellbinders dies.  Making shaped cards is a breeze now!  The recipient of this card really likes cardinals and the color green so I thought this particular snowman was perfect.  I also chose to pick up the green from the inspiration photo in the Birthday Sundae's #39 challenge.  I used some bling on the snowflake and stickles on the snow and pompoms on the snowman's hat & scarf for sparkle.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times and Seasons)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Turtle Greetings and Snow Tweet Colored Green Digital Stamps)
Embellishments/Tools:  Brads (Paper Studio), Zig Millennium pen, pearl flourish & rhinestones (Recollections), Spellbinders (Grand Label One, Petite Oval Small & Large), Snowflake - Misc from stash, Stickles glitter glue (diamond)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Birthday Sundae's #39 - Photo Inspiration + must use snowman
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (both stamp sets)
Paper Pretties Challenge #189 - Use glitter (on pompoms and snow)
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Use die cuts (Labels One for card base, Petite Ovals large & small for image & sentiment panels)
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a great day!!