Think Spring!! - SNSDC98

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a Spring card.  Nothing says spring to me more than Easter.  I think in my mind, that's the "official" start to spring.  I love Rhubarb and hadn't made a card with him in awhile. I thought this image and the accompanying greeting were perfect for a card for our daughter.  The Rhubarb's Easter image comes with 2 sentiments.  What a great value!!

I really liked this week's Mojo Monday sketch so I used it for the design of the card.  The card measures 5.5" square.  I using scraps to make the card so I embossed a piece of cardstock to use for the banner on the sketch. Rhubarb was colored with Copics and cut out.  I traced some of the swirls and flowers in the patterned paper with a glitter pen but of course, it doesn't show up well in the picture.  :(  A little bling, a button topped bow and the card is done. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Copic, Georgia Pacific, The Paper Company
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Easter Rhubarb)
Copic Markers:  R81, 83, B23, V04, E01, 07, 08, 09, 31, 33 ,35, 37
Tools/Embellishments:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots), rhinestones (The Paper Studio),  Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large & Small, Floral Ovals), ribbon (Ribbon Trends), baker's twine (The Twinery - honeydew), button from stash, Sakura Pens (Glaze Pen, Gelly Roll Clear Star), washi tape (Freckled Fawn), CM square punch, Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday #286 - Sketch
Word Art Wednesday #73 - Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday #208 - Fuzzy Friends
Catered Crop - Flowers
Craft Your Passion #155 - Make it Cute
Digi Darla #55 (DDC#55) - Flowers
Scrap Creations (GGSC149) - Easter
Delightful Challenges - Bunny/Rabbit/Spring (obviously, I chose Spring)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Spark Your Creativity Now #7 Challenge - Anything Goes
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #42 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
4 Crafty Chicks #135 - Easter
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #200 - Mother's Day or For a Female
MFP Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge #152 - Easter or bunnies
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #35 - Bring on Spring


Thanks for stopping by today.  Sir Cuteness (our 3 year old grandson) is bringing his parents for a visit this weekend.  Can't wait!! 

Happy Easter!

Jesus Is Risen!

I've been seeing some pretty cards lately that have used vellum and/or parchment paper.  This type of paper is something I find challenging to use.  However, when I saw this Stained Glass Cross digi stamp I decided to give it a try.  I remembered the fun I had with a tent card (you can see mine here and find a great tutorial here) and thought a parchment stained glass window would work well for that type of card.

The image was printed on the parchment and then colored with copics.  I mounted the image, colored side down, on plain white cardstock to help it show up better.  The window in the card was made with nestabilities dies and framed with pearlized paper and a floral oval die cut.  The sentiment was given the same layering and some faux stitching was added.  Faux stitching was also added to the background panel.  I added lots of pearls, an organdy bow and a Prima flower to finish things off.  The finished card is 4.25" x 5.5".

I really like this sentiment from the Easter Blessings set.   It's such a great reminder of why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.  Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.  {He was sinless so He could pay the price that we could not.}  However, He didn't remain dead.  On the third day, He gloriously rose from the dead.  That's why we serve a Risen Saviour.  Christ died on the cross, paying the penalty for our sin, so that He could provide the way for us to one day live with Him in Heaven. Accepting Christ as Saviour is the THE most important decision you will ever make.  It determines where you will spend eternity. If you have not already done so, I'd encourage you to accept this free gift of salvation and ask Him to be your Lord and Saviour.  Not sure how to do that? It's as simple as A - B - C:

A - Admit that you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

B - Believe that Christ died on the cross for your sins. 
1 Corinthians 15:3b-4 says, "...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

C - Confess your sin and ask Christ to save you.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." 

If you have questions, need more information about salvation or if you've just asked Christ to save you, please let me know by either leaving a comment below or emailing me through the contact me link in the sidebar.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (green), Georgia Pacific (white),  Cor'dinations (pearlized), Fiskars (parchment)
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Stained Glass Cross, Easter Blessings)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large & Small, Floral Ovals, Petite Ovals Large & Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Prima Flower, Ribbon Trends organdy ribbon, Stampin' Up pearls, CM fine point black pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday #73 - Anything Goes
Catered Crop - Flowers
Digi Darla #55 (DDC#55) - Flowers
Scrap Creations (GGSC149) - Easter
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sunday #147 - Stitching
Whimsy Inspires #57 - Stitching
Spark Your Creativity Now #7 Challenge - Anything Goes
2 Sisters Challenge #136 - Easter/Spring
Creatalicious Challenges #46 - Lovely Easter
MFP Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge #152 - Easter (or Bunny)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks #135 - Easter

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful Resurrection Sunday (Easter) this coming weekend.

March Digi Release & SNSDC96

This is an exciting day over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  Not only is it time for another fun challenge, but it's also the day we get to showcase the March Digi Release.  This month's release is a great reminder that spring is on the way!  The images are fun to color or paper piece and the sentiments are fantastic for your spring cards and/or encouragement cards all year round.

I got to play with the Be Encouraged sentiment set and the Tulip Block digi stamp.  The challenge this week is to make a Z-fold card.  I've made one once before.  You can see that card here.  Beate has a great tutorial on how to make a Z-fold card on her blog here.  Completely folded, my card is 5.25" high by 6" wide.  The base cardstock is 5.25" x 12".  I scored it on the 12" side at 3" & 6".  I folded it as a normal card on the 6" score line and then folded the front backwards at the 3" score line.

I colored the Tulip Block with Copics and accented it with a glitter pen and then some stickles.  It is matted and framed with patterned paper and then popped up on the card with dimensionals.  A scalloped border and rhinestone flourish finish off the front panel.

For the inside, I used the same scalloped border die to cut the edge of my card and the pink and green patterned papers.  I embossed the green patterned paper with an M-bossabilities folder and accented the center of each flower with a bit of stickles.  I matted one of the sentiments from the Be Encouraged set and left room on this panel for a short message.   A Bow-Easy was used to tie a triple bow and I added my all-time favorite embellishment, pearls, to the ribbon for some extra pizzazz.  A pink rose finishes off the bow.

The cardstock I used for the base is a marbled green.  I'm not sure if you can see that in the photos but it really sets off the green paper and the green flower stem well.  When the card is completely closed, the tulip panel hides the interior sentiment panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Wassau (green marbled), Copic (image and sentiment panels)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Be Encouraged, Tulip Block)
Copics:  R81, 83, 85, YG03, 05, BG10)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Lacey Squares, Classic Squares Small, Big Scalloped Border Petites, M-bossabilities Splendid-B), rhinestone flourish (Recollections), pearls (The Paper Studio), flower (Prima), ribbon (Offray), Stickles (Star Dust), Sakura Gelly Roll pen (Clear Star)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #71 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Scrap Creations - Use Favorite Embellishment (mine is pearls, followed closely by bling flourishes, ribbon & flowers)
Catered Crop - Frame or mat
Clearly Inspired Challenge #70 - Die Cuts
Sentimental Sunday #145 - 3 embellishments that start with B (bow, bling, pink bloom)
Stamptacular Sunday #206 - Dies
Ribbon Carousel #78 - Spring is in the Air
Dream Valley Challenge - Mother's Day/Card for Female 
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Roll 'em {I rolled 1 (die/punch), 5 (dimensionals), 7 (glitter)}
Craft Your Passion #153 - 2 colors plus neutral (nothing says spring to me like pink flowers)
Spark Your Creativity Challenge #7 - Anything Goes
{Cupcake Inspirations} Challenge 201 - I was inspired by the floral motif and the overal pink and green color scheme


  Please be sure to leave a comment below and visit the rest of the design team's blog and leave a comment.  One of us is a "mystery blogger" and a random comment will be chosen from her blog to receive the entire March Digi Release.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come back soon. I have another project with this release to show you.

Peace & Joy

It's time for my final project as the December Guest Designer for Mark's Finest Papers Sketch with a Twist Challenge.  My month with them has gone quickly and I've enjoyed using their beautiful stamps.  I'm a bit late posting this today as our internet went out last night.  I am really pleased with our internet company though because they had a service tech out here after work tonight and he fixed the line & replaced the modem.  Most companies don't have "after work hours" techs still working let alone give you same day service.   Anyway....back to the important stuff -- I'll try to keep it short & sweet to get this posted ASAP.

Here is this week's sketch....

This week's twist is to make a Christmas card.

My version includes some die cutting on the background mat and sentiment panel.  I hand cut the music sheet & one spray of pine cones & evergreens.  The spray was accented with some stickles.  There are a few pearls scattered about and two ribbons layered together.  The words on the sentiment panel were traced with a glitter pen for a little added sparkle.

I did a little interior decorating.  I kept it fairly simple and just layered a few die cuts.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Core'dinations (pearls - card base), Recollections (cream), DCWV (Christmas & Winter Cardstock stack)
Patterned Paper:  DCWV (Heirloom Christmas)
Stamps:  Mark's Finest Papers (Greetings of the Season Mini Stamp Set, Christmas Music Stamp Set )
Ink/Markers:  Memento (Rich Cocoa), Bic Mark-it Markers (Woodsy Brown, Honey Brown, Tiki Hut Tan, Forest Green, Key Lime), Sharpie Brown Fine Point Marker
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (Paper Studio, SU), Stickles (Star Dust), Sakura Gelly Roll pen (Clear Star), ribbon (Ribbon Trends Organdy, American Crafts satin) Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large, Floral Ovals, Classic Squares Large & Small, Lacey Squares, Classic Decorative Inserts 5, Classic Decorative Edges 2)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #194  - Christmas Card 
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC70) - Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon #62 - Anything Goes + Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today.  I hope you'll play along in this week's challenge and use this versatile sketch to finish up those last minute Christmas cards.

SNSDC84 - Tag You're It!

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a tag.  You can add the tag to a gift, have it be a to/from tag or even have a tag on a card. Your tag doesn't even have to be Christmas themed.  One of the DT chose to make a Valentine's Day card. The choice is your's as long as there's a tag.

I chose to keep things simple and made two to/from tags that can also be bookmarks after the holidays.  I went with some of my favorites on this project.  I used Rhubarb {he's such a cute teddy bear}, my new floral oval and classic oval dies and traditional red & green papers.

For one tag I used Rhubarb and his candy cane and the other Rhubarb and his stocking.  I colored Rhubarb and his candy cane/stocking with Copics.  I accented the bow on the candy cane with star dust stickles and the fur on the stocking with frosted lace stickles.  I also added some stickles to the holly on the stocking.

After coloring, I die cut both the image panel and patterned paper mat from classic oval nesties.  Then they were layered on top of the next to largest floral oval die cut.  A jute string provides the hang tie.  VERY simple.  I didn't add pearls or other bumpy embellishments so that they could be used as bookmarkers after they finish their jobs as package tags.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Express-it, Bazzill
Patterned paper:  Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Rhubarb's Stocking, Rhubarb's Candy Cane)
Copics: Rhubarb's Candy Cane (E01, 09, 31, 33, 35, 37, N0, W1, G14, 17, R27), Rhubarb's Stocking (E01, 09, 31, 33, 35, 37, N0, W1, G17, R27)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Small & Large, Floral Ovals), jute (JoAnn's), Stickles (Star Dust, Frosted Lace, Christmas Red, Green)

I'm entering these tags in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #193 - Anything But a Card
Catered Crop - Gift Tags
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #69 (PPMC69) - Red, Green & your choice (I chose brown)
Word Art Wednesday #58 - anything goes
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Christmas is in the Air!
Crafty Ribbon Challenge #34 - Tag
Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #4 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' - Dies & Punches

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a good weekend.

Butterfly Gift Set - SNSDC81

I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Our daughter and her fiance are here for the weekend.  They helped me cook (or maybe I helped them cook) dinner for us and for my husband's mom, brother & niece.  It was a nice day and the weather is fantastic.  I missed our son and his family.  He works retail in another state and works Thanksgiving Day and all weekend.  It was the first time in his life I haven't been with him on Thanksgiving (honestly, I'm sure it bothered me more than him).  I realized today what a privilege I've had to get to spend that many with him. I know the day will come when I won't have either one of our children with us on the holidays but I'm going to enjoy it and treasure it for as long as it lasts.  :)

In honor of Black Friday and the official start of the Christmas shopping season, The Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is challenging us to make a card or project that has an image of a gift or is a gift.  I chose to make a gift set.

One of the companies where I used to work purchased black markers by the dozen.  They came in these cool plastic bins.  The company would just throw the bins away so I received permission to take them off their hands.  :)  They make great gift set boxes.  I've used them before for card sets here & here. 

For the cover of the box, I used one of the sentiments from the Everyday Miracles set and printed one of the butterflies from the set twice on patterned paper.  I then used copic markers to add some teal color.  Some pearls make up the butterflies' bodies and bling added their flight trail. I bent the wings a bit and only glued them down in the middle so they would have dimension. They are layered with a couple mats onto a lacey circle.  Some baker's twine finishes it all off.

This time I included a couple of notebooks with a set of 6 cards and envelopes.  Note:  The envelopes aren't pictured because they still need to be made or purchased. 

Here is a view of all the items in the box and what it looks like with the lid opened.  By adding paper to the inside of the lid, I didn't have to worry about any adhesive showing.  

Here are close-ups of the two notebooks.  They are approx. 4" x 6".  I thought the "Notes" book could either be used for sermon notes or just as a general note pad to keep in a purse.  I kept the covers pretty plain/flat so that embellishments would not get knocked off during use.

 This is the inside cover of the Prayer List notebook.  I thought this quote by John Bunyan was quite a good reminder.

The cards are also 4" x 6".  I also kept them flat so that the recipient of the gift would not have to use extra postage when she mails them.  As you can see, the basic design is the same while I used leftovers from all the other papers used in the project.  I used this sentiment because it is so generally appropriate -- whether you're just saying "hello" or lending support during a rough time. The insides of the cards are plain.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (Two Scoops -Moose Tracks), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Everyday Miracles, Pray Without Ceasing, Praying for You, Rejoice in the Lord)
Embllishments/Tools:  brads (JoAnn's), baker's twine (The Twinery - Honeydew & Cappuccino), bling (Prima), pearls (Prima), Copics (BG01, BG000), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large, Standard Circles Large & Small, Lacey Circles, Deckled Rectangles Large & Small), SU Corner Rounder

I'm entering this set in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #55:  Positive sentiment
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC66):  Anything but a card
Stamptacular Sunday #190:  Recipe Challenge {ribbon or twine (twine), pearls or gems (both), punches or dies (both)}
Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #3 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #244 - Featuring a Girl or For a Girl (mine is for a girl)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by the Sweet 'n Sassy Store for their specials.

Let Your Light So Shine...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today is the day, in America, that we set aside to remember all our blessings...and to eat a wonderful  meal with our friends and families.  We're enjoying having our daughter, her fiance, my mother-in-law, brother-in-law and niece join us at our house today. If you are visiting here on Thanksgiving, thank you for sharing part of your day with me.  I truly am thankful for my readers and am honored that you stop by to visit. For those of you that take the time to leave a comment, please know that I appreciate each and every one of them.  I understand the sacrifice of time it takes to leave a comment and it makes my heart smile to read your comments on my cards/projects.

When I saw this Scripture digi in the the new Scripture Digi sets by Daydream Design, I couldn't wait to use it as the focal image on a card. This verse is such a great reminder that we're to live so that our lives bring glory to our Heavenly Father who has truly given us so MUCH.

I recently "found" this double-sided patterned paper at my local scrapbook store (aka LSS) and thought it would showcase a Scripture focused card perfectly.  One side is this poppy pattern and the other a deep red pattern.  I also had a new set of Spellbinders dies that I'd gotten for my birthday and couldn't wait to use them either. :)

I used layered both sides of the patterned paper with a piece of parchment paper between.  After cutting out the Scripture, I matted it with the dark red side of the paper and layered it on a floral oval spellbinders panel.  All my edges were inked. A gold ribbon bow, a pearly button, pearls and liquid pearls finished it off. My finished card is 5" x 7".  I've been breaking out of my standard 5.5" square box a little lately.  No promises on this trend continuing.  :)

Supplies:
Card base: Paper Company
Cardstock: Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny (Serenade Poppies)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Stamp:  Daydream Designs Digi (Dream Team Scripture Set 2)
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (Recollections), button (misc. from my stash), ribbon (Michael's), Liquid Pearls (Platinum Pearl), Spellbinders (Labels 4, Labels 4 Small, Floral Ovals), SU ticket punch

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Spark Your Creativity Now Challenge #3 - Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday #190 - Recipe Challenge: Pearls or Bling (pearls), Ribbon or Twine (ribbon), Dies or Punches (both)
Papertake Weekly - Ribbon and/or Pearls (I have both)
Divas by Design #62 - Two or more patterned papers (2)
Word Art Wednesday #55 - Scripture/Sentiment


I wanted to mention a little more about these special Scripture sets.  Diane had each of her Dream Team submit their favorite Scripture verse.  She then turned each of them into a beautiful & unique digi stamp.  There are 3 sets in all.  If you enjoy using Scripture on your cards, scrapbook pages, and other projects, you will definitely want to check these out.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope each of you are enjoying the day with those you love.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

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.

I Miss You

It's hard to believe that this is my final week as a guest designer for the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge Blog.  What a quick month this has been.  I've had so much fun working with these ladies.  They are fantastic!!

This week's challenge is a Halloween theme.  Since I don't celebrate Halloween, they graciously allowed me to use a pumpkin/fall theme.  I love this cute little image of the kitty peeking out from behind the pumpkins.  I had to color her gray in honor of my Sasha. {In case you've noticed, most cats I color are either gray or yellow/orange.  That's just the current cat population here. *smile*}  The image is from Clear Dollar Stamps.  My version is the outline image that you color.  However, when I looked on the website, I could only find it in the pre-colored version.

I used the October sketch from The Craft's Meow for my card design.  After coloring my image with copics, I cut it out and popped it up on the embossed panel.  I matted the image panel with a SB Lacey Circle and backed that with a SB Labels 3 die cut.  I used my trusty brown Sharpie marker for the faux stitching and added my sentiment on a little tag suspended from the ribbon.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (cat with pumpkins), Misc (I miss you)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles Small, Lacey Circles, Labels 3), CuttleBug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots), Marvey 1" Circle Punch, ribbon (Morex), eyelet (Oriental Trading), baker's twine (The Twinery - cappuccino), Sharpie Fine Marker (brown), Fiskar's Border Punch (Apron Lace), Copics (C0, N1, N3, N5, N7, G17, YG03, YG05, R81, YR07, Y35, Y38)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Craft's Meow October Sketch Challenge
Love to Create #38 - Pumpkins
Stamptacular Sunday #186 - No Rules
The Crafty Pad #193 - Any animal
Friends of Speedy TV #43 - Harvest
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC62) - Fall Inspiration
Clearly Inspired Challenge #62 (CIC62) - All Tied Up (use ribbon or twine)
Word Art Wednesday #51 - positive sentiment
Divas by Design #58 - Use some orange
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #24 - Use Stitching (real or faux)


Thanks for stopping by today. 

Train Up A Child -- SNSDC70

It's time for another challenge on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  This week our challenge is "Things That Go."  We're to use a digi or element that has a car, truck, train, plane, bicycle, scooter, hot air balloon, etc.

I chose the cute Cocoa's Train image.  After coloring it with copics I fussy cut it.  I used PSE7 to make my "smoke" for the engine using the first part of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child..."  I made each word in a smaller size font to simulate the smoke cloud disappearing in the distance. There's a train track below the wheels to complete the train scene.  Instead of an Engine # on the train I used the verse reference.

I must give credit where credit is due and tell you that the verse "smoke" and train track ideas were suggested by my husband.  :)

I did a little interior decorating.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Recollections, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Daisy D's
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (Cocoa's Train)
Embellishments/Tools:  Pearls (Queen & Co), Brads (MM), Sharpie marker, Copic Markers (N1, N03, N05, N07, B000, B21, B23, B32, E000, R20, Colorless Blender), PSE7, Uniball White Opaque Pen, CM Fine Tip pen (black)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #44 - Use Scripture
Stamptacular Sunday #179 - sketch
Terrifically Thrilling Thursdays - Show Us What You've Got (anything goes)
4 Crafty Chicks #106 - Metal (the brads are metal and the pearls have a metallic look to them)
52 Card Pickup #36 - Make a Card

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week in our "Things That Go" challenge.

Morning Glories - SNSDC51

This week's Sweet 'n Sassy Digi challenge is to make a project inspired by this quote from Thomas Tusser,  "Sweet April showers do spring May flowers."  I've really liked this Morning Glory digi stamp ever since I first saw it.
 

I colored them with my copics and then did a very brave thing....I used the telescoping image technique to layer it.  Whew!  It turned out OK and I didn't ruin my images.  You can find a great telescoping image tutorial by Beate Johns.  I used Papertake Weekly Sketch #67 for the card front.

I went back & forth trying to decide whether to use a sentiment on the front.  In the end, I decided to leave it plain. I used a Spellbinders M-bossabilities folder and highlighted the embossing with a sponge dauber and some distress ink.  Some pearls, liquid pearls, a border punch and an organdy bow finished it off.

I did some interior decorating on this card and used the Psalm 30:5b digi stamp for the sentiment.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Sweet & Sassy Digis (Morning Glory, Psalm 30:5b)
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen, Tea Dye)
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon Trends organdy ribbon, Recollections pearls, Liquid Pearls (buttercup), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders (M-bossabilities (Whimsy A), Lacey Squares, Labels 3)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #166 (FTTC166) - Bingo {I chose the bottom row - blue, flowers, emboss)
Stamptacular Sunday #160 - Loaded with layers
Love to Create Challenge #12 - Anything Goes
Die Cuttin Diva #62 - Pearls, Pins and/or Punches {I have pearls and a border punch}
Crafty Friends Challenge #2 - Use two die cuts
Word Art Wednesday #25 - Use Scripture
Scripture Thursday #26 - Use Scripture
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you get a chance to play along with us this week.

SNSS April Digi Stamp Release & SNSDC50

**Be sure to read to the end of this post to find out how to save 40% on your order from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!!**

This week we're mixing it up a bit for our Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge .  The Digi Challenge DT are bringing you a fun Blog Hop to show off our April Digi Stamp Release!!

While you're hopping, be sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way because one of the ladies is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments on her blog post to win a very special prize.  What is the prize?  I'm so glad you asked!  It's the WHOLE April Digi Release!!  The winner will be announced on the Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog next Friday, April 27th.  

This week's challenge is to make it old.  We were to use distress/sponge techniques to make our project look old or vintage.  My card has lots of sponging on it but I'm not sure I captured "old."  Ah well, I did try.  :)

I got to play with the Opal Owl digi stamp.  I think she's adorable and just perfect for paper piecing.  I explained a little last week how I paper piece digi stamps.  In the next few days, I'll have a more complete tutorial with pictures ready for you.

I used several embossing folders in my Cuttlebug to add texture to the tree and grass. I have to thank my "design assistant" (aka my husband *grin*) for his suggestion of using a tree, for the "hill" of grass and the suggestion of using a small owl on the inside.  Gotta give credit where credit is due. After running the tree top, tree trunk, and grass thru the embossing folders, I sponged them with ink to brink out the embossing.  I used the ink pad directly on the paper on the hill before running it thru my embossing folder.  Yes, the tree does go off the top and side of the card a bit. However, I know I'm not sending this thru the mail in a regular envelope so it's all good.

This is a gate-fold card. You can find a tutorial on how to make them over on SCS.  A card like this just *has* to have interior decorating.  Here's how I finished the inside of my card.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Recollections, Bazzill

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Oxford - green paper), KaiserCraft (Chanteuse)

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (Opal Owl, Enjoy the View)

Ink:   Memento (Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa), ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)

Embellishments/Tools:  Baker's Twine (The Twinery - Cappuccino, Honeydew, Cotton Candy), Spellbinders (Standard Circles - Lg & SM, Eyelet Circles), Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Distressed Stripes, Victoria, Bird Call), Crystal Effects, Signo Opagque White pen, Sakura Clear Star Pen, SU Stampin' Write Pen (Closer to Cocoa), Copic marker (100 - Black),Martha Stewart Border Punch (used for grass)

I'm entering this card in the following challnges:

Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Show Us What You Got (Anything Goes)

Stamptacular Sunday #159 - Freebie Week (Anything Goes) 

Paper Sundaes #166 - Anything Goes 

Craft Your Passion #106 - Die Cuts & Punches 

Papertake Weekly - A Stitch in Time (real or faux stitching) 

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC202) - A card for a girl 

Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC35) - Embossing - dry or wet
Crafty Friends Challenge #2 - Two or more diecuts

 

Please remember to use only digital images for the challenge. Each card you enter in the challenge will get you one entry to be eligible to win three digis of your choice. You don't have to use a SNSS image but if you do you'll receive an extra entry. When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC50.

I have one last thing to tell you before you head off to the DT blogs to see more of the new April Digi Stamp releases....

Now head off to the DT blogs to see Make It Old creations...

Carol Longacre

Ceal Pritchett

Harriet Skelly

Makiko Jones

Margo Smith

Stephanie Serrano

Stephanie Wright - That's Me!!

Wendy Jordan

Thanks for stopping by 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.