Experience - Proverbs 27:17

Happy Sunday everyone! It is time once again for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge. We are always so happy to share this time with you. Great way to start a Sunday isn't it? 

This has been a long week! Most of the teachers felt the same way though. The first full week with kids is tiring. I also had a busy week with family life and making cards for my stint as the Center Stage Spotlight Designer for Gina K Designs. What fun that was but it sure kept me busy for most of my non-working hours! This week has also been filled with God's blessings in a very powerful way! 



The scripture verse this week was picked by Linda and it really made me have to stop and think for a while. Sometimes a verse just jumps out at you, other times we have to think about it. That is certainly not a bad thing - I thought about it a lot. It is taken from the book of Proverbs which is filled with the most wonderful thought provoking verses.

 "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

There is a phrase that I have used many times with my children when they were children and even more as young adults. I would say "You are who you hang around with". I think that is true for all of us. When we surround ourselves with those who love our Lord, those who live a life of giving and forgiving. Those who try NOT to judge others. Friends who do not wear anger as a cloak. We need to be around people who help make us better people! I read in a magazine this week that doing good deeds, wearing a smile, being happy is actually very good for you AND makes others smile and feel happier. How easy is that? I have experienced that very strongly with my friends at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. We turn to each other for prayers - and we know that we all do, in fact, pray! 

The challenge this week is to make a project that includes metal. We sure do hope to see many of you join this challenge - it is fun to put a metal embellishment on your project and the design team has several different ideas for you.

This card was not difficult to make. The stamp set is the new "free with three" from Gina K designs new August release. I gold embossed the image and then used the Labels Six die for the scalloped oval. I had the metal ribbon slide and that went so perfectly along the top. The sketch was for the Tuesday sketch challenge on Stamp TV. The sayings in this stamp set are wonderful! 


Now wear your smiles - be happy - God loves each and every one of us!

Recipe: 

Stamps: You are not Alone - GinaK Designs

Paper: Pure Luxury Craft, Gold and White

Special Paper: DCWV - Linen Closet

Other: Spellbinder Die Labels Six, Ranger gold embossing, gold ribbon, gold ribbon slide, scallop punch 

 

Gina K Preview Day 4

Hello, welcome back! Wasn't yesterday's preview wonderful? That is going to be a StampTV kit that we are all going to want! I know it is going in my cart tomorrow night! Tonight is my last night to share a couple of more fantastic stamp sets with you. Here is the first one - it is the free with three set called You are Not Alone. I absolutely love the sentiments in this set! 

This card was made with some of Gina K Designs's fabulous Pure Luxury Card stock - Vanilla, Ocean Mist, and Red Hot! The combination of these colors are just wonderful! I paired these with some October Afternoon Thrift Shop. Is that not a perfect match? I used markers to color the flower stamp and then my Nesties to make the circles, both plain and scalloped. I placed a few dew drops on the corners. I also distressed the entire card front with some Antique Linen from Tim Holtz.

My second card for tonight is using the fantastic set called Lean on Me also by Gina. This set is incredibly versatile - I love it! 

On this card I also colored on the stamps, at least on the flowers. The card stock was all Pure Luxury, this time only two - white and grass green. I distressed the edges of the white with the blade of a pair of scissors. That way still works best for me! I had the buttons. On the inside I posted a flower on a green and white background. I am not sure if this qualifies for a CAS card but for me it definitely was! This has been a fantastic experience for me, thanks to all of you who traveled this road with me. See you tomorrow night - time to party!

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, please check out these participating designer's links:

• Gina *Illustrator of Lean on Me and You are Not Alone*
• Jessica *Designer of Lean on Me card kit*
• Melanie
• Theresa -
• Nina - *Designer of Grand Damask and Fanciful Tags 
• Tami -
• Cathy
• Lee
• Kurtis
• Suzanne
• Bev
• Colleen
• Valerie
• Sankari
• Miesje - *our CenterStage Guest Designer!*

You are invited to join us for our Release party tomorrow night, August 26 from 7-10 central time for contest questions, challenges, and chatter along with tons more samples!  The party leads up to the new products featured this week on our blogs being available for purchase online through GinaK Designs at 10 pm.  See you there for all the fun! 

Gina K Preview Day 2

Wow - thanks for the comments on yesterday's cards, I appreciate each and every one of them. I have three more incredible stamp sets to preview tonight and you are going to love them! 

The first one is Theresa's Farm Life. I had a hard time picking which of the great images I wanted to focus on. What finally decided me is the reddish background paper that I found in my "reddish" box of papers. See, this paper was screaming "BARN"! I had fun coloring this barn with my Copics and used silver glitter pen on the silo. The tree was stamped twice, cut out and popped up. The real reason I did that is because I was trying to make it a tree with fall colors but it just didn't look right. (Here in Florida we don't have too many of those!) so I re-stamped and re-colored and cut and popped! The effect was really nice. I stamped the sentiment directly onto the card stock. I used Pure Luxury white, grass green, moonlit fog.  This is one of the few cards where I do not sponge the ends. I just didn't think that this card called for it.

My second card tonight was such fun!!! It came together so easy. I used Asela's newest called BOO! Is that not a great look? I found this paper pack from Cloud9 Designs and cut two strips of of it for the top and the bottom. The rest of the card was made with Pure Luxury sweet mango, sweet corn and black all from GinaK. For this card I broke out the embossing powders and embossed the spooky house - see the ghost in the door and the cat in the tree? I then used white embossing powder for the words. I colored and cut out the two Jack O Lanterns and used some yellow glitter pen for the mouth and eyes. Hmmm - which grandchild is going to get this card?

My final card for tonight is a different look. It was made with Tami's great new set called Faithful Florals. You are going to love the sentiments that come with this. I really like the way this turned out. I used markers to color in the flower stamp and then used some distressing inks to sponge around the edges. The specialty paper is from DCWV Latte. The card stock was Pure Luxury Chocolate, Ivory and Vibrant Violet. The brown ribbon I had in my brown ribbon container. Did you notice that I used Nina's Fanciful Tags for the word Faith? Yesterday someone asked to see the inside of one of the cards so I did take a photo of the inside of this one and you will see another of the wonderful sentiments that comes with this. I also stamped the flower image several times.

That is it for tonight - be sure to stop by all the other great previews.

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, please check out these participating designer's links:

• Gina
• Jessica
• Melanie
• Theresa - *Illustrator of Farm Life*
• Tami - *Illustrator of Faithful Florals*
• Cathy
• Lee
• Lynn
• Kurtis
• Carolyn
• Asela - *Illustrator of Boo!*
• Suzanne
• Miesje - *our CenterStage Guest Designer!*

You are invited to join us for our Release party this Thursday night, August 26 from 7-10 central time for contest questions, challenges, and chatter along with tons more samples!  The party leads up to the new products featured this week on our blogs being available for purchase online through GinaK Designs at 10 pm.  We hope you'll make plans now to be able to join us in all the fun!

Gina K Preview Day 1

Here I am - an actual Center Stage Design Team Member! Pinch me quick to see if it is real! This has been so much fun and a little intimidating too - you know those other names .... see the list below....yeah those names! They are really good! They have also been incredibly supportive and encouraging - thank you to all of the design team!

The first card that I made and am sharing is Melanie's Wild at Heart. It is so beautiful - I love it. 

I stamped the image on Pure Luxury Onyx Black with Versamark and then used a brush to brush some Pearl Ex on it. It is layered onto Ivory and the base is Bubblegum Pink. I then put some pink pearls on it and a simple word tag. The ribbon is a light pink with gold thread through it from Gina K. Both pictures are the exact same card but one is on a black background and the other on a white background and angled in the light. Isn't that cool?

The second preview I made with a new set by Nina called Grand Damask. It is amazing! Such a wonderful image and the possibilities are endless!

I stamped the damask image on Pure Luxury ivory with Memento black. I also stamped an image on some other small blossom shaped papers to make the flower. The ribbon is just some black organdy and I added the button and a gem flourish. I used a Cuttlebug folder on the Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea panel.


My final card for tonight is made using a set that you will turn to again and again! It is a must have for everyone! It is also from Nina and is called Fanciful Tags.

If you like to use the Spellbinders tags you will love this and if you don't you will still love it because you do not have to have them. The many phrases are fantastic. I made this card using Pure Luxury Ivory, Kraft, and Fresh Asparagus. I also used the Basic Grey Capella paper pack. I had the wonderful lace to go along with it. I stamped the background of the green panel with the Grand Damask set by stamping off once to create a faint image.

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, please check out these participating designer's links:

• Gina
• Jessica
• Melanie - *Illustrator of Wild at Heart*
• Nina - *Illustrator of Grand Damask and Fanciful Tags*
• Theresa
• Cathy
• Lee
• Lynn
• Kurtis
• Carolyn
• Colleen
• Miesje - *our CenterStage Guest Designer!*

You are invited to join us for our Release party this Thursday night, August 26 from 7-10 central time for contest questions, challenges, and chatter along with tons more samples!  The party leads up to the new products featured this week on our blogs being available for purchase online through GinaK Designs at 10 pm.  We hope you'll make plans now to be able to join us in all the fun!

Friends - Psalm 56:3

Oh my goodness - what a week! The birthday blog hop was amazing - thank you Lisa for thinking of it and organizing it. You are wonderful and such a gift to all of us! The comments just blew me away which is why I wanted to make this card. It is a simple card this time but it fit what I was thinking and feeling. Friends are so important in our lives and I am blessed to have so many.

I started back to work and it was good to see all my "work" friends again after the summer off. Some of us have been working together for many, many years and it is always nice to reconnect. I also am so happy to count all of you as friends. Taking the time to leave comments both here and on the Stampin Sisters in Christ site. 

The scripture verse this week was picked by Cindy and what a good verse it is. I am going to type out the couple of verses before it too - it works for me that way. Taken from my New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition.

"Have pity on me, O God; for men trample upon me; all the day they press their attack against me. My adversaries trample upon me all the day; yes, many fight against me. O Most High, when I begin to fear, in you will I trust."

Do you have days like that - or even more. When it seems like everyone is against you. This could be at work or in your neighborhood or even in our own families. It is difficult to deal with those feelings. That is where the phrase that Cindy chose is so appropriate. "When I begin to fear, in you I will trust". That is TRUE friendship and that friend will never move or leave or judge you. I do not have to be afraid. How great is that?!

The challenge this week is to make a project that represents what could be your life verse. This will be different for everyone. I look forward to hearing what you will share.

Recipe: 
Stamps: Friends by GinaK
Paper: SU So Saffron and Old Olive
Special Paper: Cloud Nine - Specialty Fall
Other: Spellbinder Tags - flowers and glittery beads from stash 

 

Blessings - Psalm 138:3

Our 1 year Birthday Blog Hop starts at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog! You'll want to start there and follow along. There are many blessings along the way and chances to win prizes, so we hope you'll join us! All of the blog links are there in case you get lost or a link does not work.

Psalm 138:3 - When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me.

There have been times in my life when I have called out in desperation for God to help me because I just didn't think I could make it through. One such time was when I found out that our daughter was mentally handicapped. We had adopted her from Korea and she was suffering from malnutrition and had pneumonia when we got her home at age 3 months. When I finally accepted that something was wrong I told God that I couldn't do it - I could not raise a handicapped child! After ranting and raving for a while I finally quieted and told God that I could not do it without His help. (gee, you think that is what He wanted to hear?) Now, 33 years later, not only does He help me, I have also found a strength within me that I did not know I had. It was a lesson learned that has seen me through so many difficulties since then, with Katie (our blessing!) and other difficult times. Now I just find a quiet spot, like shown in my card, and talk to Jesus knowing that He will answer me and walk with me.

This card came together easily. I knew I wanted the flowers to show around the chair so I masked the chair and stamped the flowers all the way around. I then stamped the butterflies and cut those out. A fun peaceful card to make.

Who wants some flowery candy? Blog candy that is! I will pick one lucky winner using the random number generator from all the comments that are left here on my blog! Be sure to leave a comment on the main site there is a $50.00 gift certificate up for grabs and your name will be entered twice for my blog candy! The hop officially ends on Wednesday at 11:59 pm Pacific time and the winner will be announced on Thursday. If you came here without going to SSIC be sure to head right on over - more prizes and candy to be had!

Your next stop on this birthday blog hop is to our very own dear Randi! Be sure to hop on over and leave her a blessing! Thanks for hopping along with us, for your continued support and your wonderful comments. 


May God send you blessings!

Recipe: 
Stamps: The Journey and Sending Sunshine - Gina K Designs
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink - Pure Luxury Grass Green and White - GinaK
Specialty Paper: Basic Grey - Olivia
Other: Ribbon, Cuttlebug folder

Challenges:
StampTV: Color Challenge
Flutterby Wednesdays: Use a butterfly or fairy
Mark's Finest Papers: Flowers


 

Time for School

I started back to work last week and tomorrow the children come back. Think back to when you were in elementary school - remember how exciting it was and a little nervous too. 

Tomorrow the little kindergartners will be all nervous and I am sure there might be a tear or two. They are so cute though. The middle school kids will be just too cool pretending that they are not at all nervous or happy to be there. 

And then there are the teachers - we are a little nervous too and, just like the kids, excited about seeing everyone again. Yup - the beginning of a new school year. So this card is for that  - just a Time for School card just for fun.



This was an easy card to make and lots of fun too. I won the apple Nestability on the Spellbinders blog - I was so excited to win it last year.

Thanks for stopping by,

Recipe:
Stamps: Back to School sold by Gina K Designs
Paper: GinaK Designs Pure Luxury red and black
Specialty Paper: October Afternoon Report Card
Other: Circle, scalloped circle, and tags Nestabilities

Challenges:
Stamp TV - Inspiration
S2G -Back to School with notebook paper 
Penny's Paper - Anything Goes


 

Better World

I just love learning new things! On StampTV the sketch challenge for this week was to make a circle card with circles on it. I only had one false start - forgot to put the fold in it before I used the the Nestability. It was fun and I see a few more circle cards in my future! It was a lot of fun to make.

I made this card for a friend who is going through a difficult time right now. I know that she will appreciate it. 

I just love those daisies from Theresa's stamp set called "Hope Grows". I hope you like it! If you have not checked out the Stampin Sisters in Christ blog hop be sure to do so. I think it stayed on the top of this blog, that is if I followed the directions correctly! Thanks for any and all comments, they do mean a lot to me.

Have a great week,

Recipe:
Stamps: Hope Grows and Thanks a Million sold by Gina K Designs
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink and Pure Luxury White
Specialty Paper: October Afternoon Ducks in a Row
Other: Circle, scalloped circle, and tags Nestabilities

Chanllenges:
Stamp TV - sketch
7 kids Blog - pink and polka dots
Paper Pretties - using ribbon
Penny's Paper - Anything Goes
Mark's Finest Papers - Flowers
 

Ruff Day? - Proverbs 17:22

Isn't she adorable? Yes, I made sure that you knew it was a girl with the little pink shirt! I love the wrinkles on the forehead too! Looks a little like me today - my first day back at work after a wonderful summer vacation. Yup - I do think that is the face I was wearing. This image is from DeeDee's Digis, the sponsor for today's Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge and I encourage you to check out some of the other cute images she has.

Randi chose this wonderful verse from the book of Proverbs 17:22.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones"

Today I started back to work after a wonderful summer vacation and I know that last night my face was wearing the look of that dog! I was so fortunate to be able to be home all summer, to have the time to craft and mow the lawn, to spend more time with my daughter and my parents. It was a summer filled with blessings, one son was able to stay with us for several months this summer before heading back to his IT job at FSU. Then another son was able to come home for a couple of weeks before heading off again to the Yukon. How lucky I am. I really do not often wear the face above. I am generally an upbeat person who prefers looking at the bright side of life! I have also had people in my life who do not let their spirit be crushed - people like Randi (Stampin Sisiter) and Karen (co-worker) and Betsy (SIL) and Dana (old dear friend) whose lives have been touched with cancer and yet live a positive life filled with God's spirit. They have all touched my heart! 

I printed the image on both patterned paper and ivory CS. I also used some brown flocking for the ears - they now feel all fuzzy! The buttons and ribbon are from my stash. 

Thank you stopping by! Please leave a comment - I always read them. Have a week filled with blessings!

 





Recipe:
Stamps: Ruff Day sold by DeeDee's Digis
Paper: SU - Close to Cocoa
Special Paper: SU
Other: Spellbinders Impressability, ribbon, buttons


Challenges:
Card Patterns: Sketch
Paper Pretties: Use ribbon
All Sorts: Paper Piecing 
Penny's Paper-Crafty: Anything Goes

 

Love Birds

A

Anniversary cards are often the cards that I do not make in advance because I like to think of the couple that I am making the card for. But it is still a good idea to keep one or two done in advance.  I made this card for a StampTV sketch challenge and for the Paper Pretties challenge to use ribbon.

This card was made using a stamp set that I had not used in a while called "Elegant Post" by Nina. I gold embossed the  cage after stamping the little love birds inside. I found the patterned paper in my old SU stash and coordinated the rest of the paper around that. It was a simple card card to make. 

This was a little out of my comfort zone because it is a square card - I also think that they may cost more to send. 

Thanks for stopping by today. Look for the next upload on Sunday for SSIC and on Monday there will be the 1 year birthday for Stampin Sisters in Christ with a blog hop! See you then.








Recipe:
Stamps: Elegant Post sold by Gina K Designs
Paper: SU Orchid and Pure Luxury Grass Green
Specialty Paper: SU
Other: Gold Embossing, Nestability tag, ribbon

Purple Flower

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

I really like the color purple, although I was not too sure about putting it with green and brown, it turned out really well. Thanks Color Throwdown! 


For StampTV the challenge was to make a flower or embellish a flower, I chose to make a simple flower. I hand cut out some leaves to put with the flower. This was not a difficult card, it came together easily. 


I really like that saying probably because I really like flowers. My roses are wonderful this year and my new hibiscus is so pretty! The geraniums are sad right now - they will be happier when the weather cools off some. I do not have any purple flowers!


That is about it for for now, but you know I will be back with more.


Thanks for stopping by - I really appreciate all of your comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely Labels, Elegant Verses sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: SU - Elegant Eggplant - Always Artichoke - Close to Cocoa

DP:  DCWV Latte

Extras: Puches


Challenges Entered:
StampTV - Blast from the past - make flower
Mojo Monday - Sketch
Color Throwdown: Colors
Paper Pretties - Use Ribbon

Hit the Books

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

Another back to school card. This time I used a circle theme and several purples. I thought that this one would be good for girls. I am taking so much time making cards that I am going to not have time to mail the cards! Or perhaps this year they will have to be family cards! Think the kids will "share"? 

Since my summer vacation is now basically over I will pause to say how very much I enjoyed a "stay-cation". We did not go anywhere after I took a quick trip to visit my SIL the first week off. The rest of the time I was here and enjoyed every minute of it. I am also thankful to have a job and that it is one I enjoy. I realize how lucky I am to be able to teach in the school where some of my grandchildren attend. Anyway - on with the card.

There really are not many details to explain - it was rather a simple card to make.


Thanks for stopping by - I really appreciate all of your comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Back to School sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Lovely Lavender

DP:  DCWV Latte

Extras: Puches


Challenges Entered:
StampTV - Blast from the past

S2G - Back to School and use red
Dutch Dare: Anything Goes

Back to School

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

Yes it is back to school in our neck of the woods. I try to make some back to school cards for my grandchildren but just am running out of time! I report back to work on Friday, my teacher vacation is almost over. This is going to seriously cramp my stamping time! Um - honey - can I retire yet???

This card is for several challenges.The challenges are listed below. I saw many other blogs do it this way and looked much easier to do it that way.


I saw the book-bag paper pieced on Melanie's website (just scroll down a bit) and had to try it. I cut the entire book-bag out and popped it up. There was no coloring on this one. The paper is from October Afternoon and the striped paper is from DCWV.


Thanks for stopping by - I really appreciate all of your comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Back to School sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Mango and Red

DP: October Afternoon - Report Card and DCWV Citrus

Extras: A button - a border punch from MS and the paper was punched from SU. The ribbon was just in my stash (gotta love the stash!)


Challenges Entered:
StampTV - Color Challenge
OCC- Sketch
S2G - Back to School and use red
Dutch Dare: Anything Goes
JUGS: The Sketch

Winter Hugs

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

I know - a winter card in August - what is wrong with me? Well, there was this challenge that was for a winter card with embellishments for StampTV. The winner gets free stamps! What I won't do for free stamps!

So since I was making this card strictly for a challenge I decided to look at other challenges and maximize my chances for a win.The challenges are listed below. I saw many other blogs do it this way and looked much easier to do it that way.


This card was such fun to make. Being a Florida girl I do not see much winter so these are not cards I make very often to send off. So I started by digging through my designer paper, most of what I have was still from Stampin Up and are lovely! This was one of theirs that had not even been opened! Then I matched up the colors and there you go - a card sending Winter Hugs!


Thanks for stopping by - I really appreciate all of your comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Warm Winger Wishes sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: SU Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue

DP: SU Frosty Day

Extras: Spellbinders Impresability and Nestability - Random buttons, ribbon, and a dew drop


Challenges Entered:
StampTV - Make a winter card with at least 3 embelishments
Simon Says Stamps - a song - Frosty the Snowman
Speedy the Cat's Challenges - Make your own embellishments
Dutch Dare: Anything Goes
Card Patterns: The Sketch

Happy Mail - Philippians 3:13-14

Sending happy mail, for those of you who are in my age range (closer to 60 than 50) how many of you remember running out to the mailbox to get the mail and how happy we were to get a letter or card from someone? And how many cards do you have sitting on your shelves that you do not send? I know that I am guilty of that.  For the challenge this week Lisa wants us to make a card of apology or one of reaching out to someone encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward. A great way to do that is to send a card - the card you make!

This week Lisa chose the verse that hit me right between the eyes - (hate when that happens!). This is the verse that she chose from Philippians 3: 13-14:

"Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself yet to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead."

It is not easy for me to not look back and say "if only" I had done that or said this. I cannot go back and undo what has been said or done I can only move forward to live my life better, to say kinder words, to not worry so much about what may happen. When I go to God and ask forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings I must totally trust that those sins are wiped clean. I must believe with all of my heart that how I live my life now matters - not the many mistakes that I have made. If not - my life would not be worth living. Thank you God for your healing love!

I made this card using a stamp from Simon Says Stamps (our sponsors this week). I encourage you to go to their site - they have many wonderful stamps and supplies. I did a lot of paper piecing with this card and had fun doing it.

Thank you stopping by! Please leave a comment - I always read them. Have a week filled with blessings!

 





Recipe:
Stamps: Happy Mail - MFT stamps sold by Simon Says Stamps
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant
Special Paper: Basic Grey Green at Heart
Other: Spellbinders Impressability, Distress Inks, MS Border Punch, Flowers and dew drops


Challenges:
Stars and Stamps: Use designer Paper
Mojo Monday : Sketch Challenge
Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
Stamp Something: I used the colors
Dutch Dare: Anything Goes
OCC Sketch: The sketch
 

What's New

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

AGH - what a frustrating day! My little Janome Sew Mini just won't work anymore! I really wanted to sew this quilt but ..... now it is a taped card made to look like a quilt hanging on the wall. 


I got several distress inks lately and decided to play with them for this card. I used an impresability for the background and then used the Tea Dye distress ink and sponged every bit of this card. Even the thimble was not safe from my inky sponge! It did turn out better than I thought it would.


There are 2 challenges for this card first  was the StampTV blast from the past challenge which was to make a quilt and the other challenge is for Midnight Madness' sketch challenge.   


Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to leave a comment - I love hearing from you. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Sew Pretty sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Chocolate

DP: SU Afternoon Tea

Extras: Spellbinders Impresability and Nestability - Distress Inks from Ranger Ink

Sunshine of my Life

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

This card was made for my dear husband of 38 years. He is so supportive of my stamping just as he was of my cross-stitching and sewing  and quilting and every other creative outlet I have explored over the years. He even reads my blog {Hi Honey!} No it is not our anniversary or any other special occasion - just a thanks to God for staying with us through our ups and downs and bringing us to where we are today. An incredibly happy couple who love each other! I know - kind of mushy - but all true. 


There are 4 challenges for this card first  was the StampTV inspiration challenge, and for Speedy's Friends Challenge which was for a thank you card. This card is a thank you! Also for Dutch Dare which is for anything goes. And last but not least for Simon Says Stamps which was to make a card based on a song. Well it had to be a love song and it was going to be "I just called to say I love you" which he used to sing all the time when he called me I really made this thinking of the song "You are the Sunshine of my life" which is what he is to me and I know that I am to him.   


Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to leave a comment - I love hearing from you. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely Labels, Love Notes, By your Side: all sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury In the Navy, Sweet Mango and Moonlit Fog

DP: Basic Grey Lime Rickey

Extras: Peals - Copic Markers - Cuttlebug folder

Thanks Berry Much

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

I love strawberries - especially dipped in chocolate! It was a happy day when I heard that dark chocolate was really good for you! I am a bit spoiled though - I like Dutch dark chocolate the best! 

This was just a fun, quick card for a few challenges. It is so hot outside that making cards is just the thing to do in the afternoon and in the evening when I am watching the Rays baseball games on tv.


The first challenge is for StampTV's sketch challenge. This one was different and I enjoy that. Then there is the challenge to make a thank you card by Mark's Finest Papers, and anything goes for Dutch Dare and Flutter By Wednesdays. All that for one card - I almost feel like I am taking advantage! I do have another card on the drawing board and will get that one done and posted for tomorrow.


Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to leave a comment - I love hearing from you. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Enjoy the Sunshine,  the butterfly was from Hugs and Prayers - both sold by Gina K Designs,

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Ocean Mist, Vanilla and Rocket Red

DP: October Afternoon Fly a Kite

Extras: Peals - Copic Markers -Swiss dot Cuttlebug folder

Wedding Wishes

O

**If you are looking for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ post for this week, please scroll down!**

Those of you who have been following my blog know that this card is a simple one for me. I usually am much more inclined towards using designer paper and several elements. Sometimes it is good to have a simpler card. The challenge this week at JUGS was to make a wedding card. Well for goodness sakes, I do not know of anyone getting married right now. So I kind of passed it off as a challenge that I would miss. Then I was looking at my calendar and there are several wedding anniversaries coming up. So (light bulb goes off) why not make wedding cards that could just as well serve for anniversary cards. Sure hope that they don't mind

The sketch I used for this card is from OCCSC26, and the colors were from the Monday color challenge (black, ivory, and 1 other color) on StampTV.  I also entered the Dutch Dare Card Challenges with this card since for them anything goes!

If you look closely at the bouquet of flowers you will see that I stamped it twice and cut out the roses and popped them up on the original image. Gives it a 3 dimensional look.  


Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to leave a comment - I love hearing from you. 

Recipe:

Stamps: With this Ring - sold by Gina K Designs

Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Black Onyx, Vanilla and Bubblegum Pink

DP: None

Extras: Ribbon I found at Walmart - Copic Markers - swirly bling found at Michaels.

Patience - Isaiah 40:31

Just look at how patient those baby birds look? They are so trusting that their parent will provide for them. No doubt they are not sure when their request will be heard and answered, but they know it will and did. This adorable image came from Digi Doodle Shop, they are sponsoring the challenge this week on Stampin Sisters in Christ. I encourage you to come by and participate. The challenge this week is brought to us by our wonderful design team sister, Rebekka. She asked us to create a card with one of our feathered friends on it. It does not have to come from Digi Doodle Shop - use any bird image you have.  This week's scripture verse that Rebekka asked us and you to reflect on is from Isaiah 40:31.

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagle's wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint." (New American Bible)

My husband and I attend Mass every Saturday night. Tonight the homily (sermon) was taken from the book of Luke 12: 13-21. The way it was shared was really what I took away. It is that we want to accumulate so much more than what we need. Not that we acquired it dishonestly or that we worship what we have - but that we think we need for the future. It is a form of security. Where my mind went was - um - stamps and all that goes with it. I am going to have to reflect on this some more. Isn't it amazing how often what is heard at church seems to speak directly to us? I should be like the baby birds - knowing that God will provide ALL that I need! 

The sketch I used is for the Priscilla Midnight Madness MMSC64. Great sketch!

Have a wonderful week dear friends!

 

Recipe: 

Stamps: Digi Doodle Shop

Paper: SU - Creamy Caramel and Wild Wasabi

Special Paper: Cosmo Cricket - Nutmeg

Other: Ribbon, Stick on dots, Cuttlebug Folder