Praise: Psalm 148: 7-10

Praise God! Every day start it off with a PRAISE GOD! There is always something to thank Him for, today it could be that it is Sunday! So glad you could join us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for another challenge based on scripture!

This week the wonderful Peggysue our hostess and the verse she chose is Psalm 148: 7-10.

"Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all depths; Fire and hail, snow and mist, storm winds that fulfill his work; You mountains and all you  hills, you fruit trees and all you cedars; You wild beasts and all tame animals, you creeping things and you winged fowl."

Praise is a powerful word. These verses are a reminder that we all need to praise God for everything. Yup - even the creeping things {shudder}. I do believe that a lot of us praise God through song and there are a lot of songs out there that we love. This week we are sharing our favorite songs. There are a lot of favorites on my list but I went with "Everything Glorious" by the David Crowder Band. I love to sing this loud - but only when no one is in hearing range! If the code below is gibberish - click on HERE for the link to the video. 



Throughout the year I find that I often tell our children and/or grandchildren that I am proud of them for an achievement or just because they are good parents or spouses or sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. But sometimes I don't say it and wish I had or didn't have the words at the time. When I saw this image from Doodle Pantry and the sentiment I knew I wanted to make a card.  Now I can send the words I could not or did not speak. 

This card came together but it took a while. I had the image colored and set on my table but it just didn't come together - until today! I was digging through a drawer that had a lot of older, don't use it but won't get rid of it stuff, and found a baggie with fancy fibers. Remember those? Well, when I saw these fibers the card was a done deal!  

The challenge for this week is to create a card or project that uses any type of creature from tiny (like an ant or bug) to a very large creature (whale, elephant). The possibilities are endless! Have fun!

Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry - the peacock and verse is from them!

Be sure to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week:

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Doodle Pantry and the flowers in the corner are from Aloha - GinaK
Paper: GKD Pure Puxury White Turquoise Sea

Designer Paper: none

Other: Cuttlebug folder, Fancy Fibers, Copics, colored pearls

Challenges:

Marks Finest Papers: Use something other than ribbon - think the fiber counts?
Midnight Madness: Sketch
Fabulous Friday - circles
Inspire Me Fridays - always anything goes

The Vine - one more time

Being the guest designer for Melanie Muenchinger's newest stamp set designed for GinaK Designs called The Vine has been such fun. I am thrilled to have her showcase another project of mine using this wonderful set on her blog, Hands, Head and Heart and here is one more card that I made this week. 

I had scooted over to StampTV last night to see what challenges I have missed and could catch up on. Well the last challenge was to CASE a card of Carolina's. So I found this one that I liked and used it to make this card.  Then this morning I realized that oops, that challenge was due last night! Oh well, on to this weeks challenge which is being hosted by Carolina and (lucky me) the challenge is to make a CAS card! I think this qualifies, don't you?

I do not think that I have ever colored on Kraft paper until this one. It is amazing how different the colors look. Anyway - a 1 layer card using some of the stamps from "The Vine". I stamped the flowers directly onto the Kraft and colored with Copics. I ran the Kraft partially through the Cuttlebug and then used some purple Stickles to add the dots. I used a Spellbinder tag die and some ribbon that I still had from SU. The sentiment is from Melanie's set called Wild at Heart. I had a few leaves left over from another Vine project and used them to add to the tag. Hope you like it!

Thanks again Melanie! This has been a great time for me and I appreciate the opportunity with this great stamp set! If you would like to win a free set of Melanie's (and who wouldn't) become a follower of mine and leave a comment on Melanie's blog!

Thanks for stopping by and for your always welcome comments,

Challenges:
Some Odd Girl - thank you
Simon Says Stamp and Show... - Anything goes

God's Promises: Isaiah 55:8-9

Another Sunday and I am so glad you could join us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for another challenge based on scripture!

This week sweet Grace (lives up to her name) is our hostess and the verse she chose is Isaiah 55:8-9 .

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "

I suppose that means that I do NOT know best! I often find myself asking (really telling) God what I think needs to be done. Please heal this person from cancer. Please heal that relationship. Please ease the way for my parents. So I know what is needed, I know what I want. Is this God's way? Is this me totally trusting in Him? In my mind I know and believe totally in what the verse says - it is my heart that gets in the way at times. It is me wanting things to be easier for my parents and wanting my married children to have a relationship with Him and with each other like my husband and I have. Those sometimes get in the way of me saying, "Your will be done, not mine."  

I really do like the sharp contrast between black and white. This was a very easy card to make. I used a Cuttlebug folder on the black panel, added some swirly pearls, a large, soft bow and a small bow button. I must admit that I used 1 Copic (RV000) on the flowers just to soften them up a tad! 

 

The challenge for this week is to create a card or project that depicts the sharp contrast of black & white or ivory.

Our sponsor this week is Layers of Color with a wonderful stamp set!

Be sure to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week:

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: LOC
Paper: GKD Pure Puxury White and Black

Designer Paper: none

Other: Cuttlebug folder, ribbon, pearls

Challenges:

Crafty Ann's - embossing or debossing or both
Craft Us Crazy -  anything goes

Paper Pretties - Shiny
Deep Ocean Challenge - Ribbons
Stamp Something - include embellishment
Inspire Me Fridays - always anything goes

The Vine - Take 2

Being the guest designer for Melanie Muenchinger's newest stamp set designed for GinaK Designs called The Vine has been such fun. I am thrilled to have her showcase another project of mine using this wonderful set on her blog, Hands, Head and Heart and here I am showing another card that I made. 

This card was me just playing around! I dug out some old stuff (vellum and some of GinaK Designs digital paper called Vintage Basics and one of Melanie's others sets that coordinates perfectly with The Vine called Branching Out. The only "new" used on this set is The Vine stamp set!

I stamped the vine on the digital paper with Memento Brown just kind of randomly. Then I distressed the vellum with a sponge and the Memento Brown. I wanted a little bit of a different look so I used a scallop die on the vellum which shows off some of the vine. I stamped the sentiment in a stamp from Branching Out and cut it out very carefully. Stamped and cut some of the flowers out of some DP paper I had and popped it up. A few pearls colored in red and some ribbon that I have no earthly idea where I got it. Looks nice though doesn't it?

Thanks for stopping by and for your always welcome comments,

Challenges:
Clear It Out! - Use Old Supplies - Anything Goes 
Deep Ocean Challenge - Ribbons
Make it Monday - Anything goes
Crafts and Me - add a flower

Thank you bee

Hello and happy Monday - today I am posting a card I made for a friend who knew just what I needed when I needed it! This was a quick and easy card that turned out exactly the way I wanted it. That does not happen very often! I found a couple of challenges and this card emerged. 

Some simple designer paper from October Afternoon, a stamp set designed by Rupa for GinaK and a few little embellishments and the card is done and will be in the mail today. I colored the adorable little bee with Copics.

Thanks for stopping by and your comments are always treasured!
God Bless,

 

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Cute as a Bug - GinaK Designs

Paper: GinaK White - SU - Basic Grey

Specialty Paper - October Afternoon - Schoolhouse

Other: Scrap of ribbon - some black gems - yellow flower with brad, Copics to color

Challenges Entered:

StampTV: Sketch

Flutter By Wednesday: Inspiration Photo

Simon Says Stamps: Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday: Animal Antics - a bee is an animal, right?
Soartful Challenges: Use a bee

Birthday Pop-Up: 2 Samuel 6:14

Happy Sunday! I am so glad you could join us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for another challenge based on scripture!

This week the creative and talented Kris is our hostess and the verse she chose this week is 2 Samuel 6:14.

"And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod."

Okay, I admit it, I had to look up the word "ephod". In my bible (NAB) the verse reads, "Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon,"  An ephod was traditionally worn by the priests and Levites, not by a king. David put aside his kingly robes to show that although he was a king - he is first a servant - a servant of God. Aha - now it makes sense. As with every verse in the bible it is always good (for me) to read the text before and after for the complete message. Just as it is important for everyone to put aside whatever "robes" they show to others - the robe of anger or regret - the robe of worry and concern - the robe of whatever it is that prevents us from dancing as God's servant - all for His glory!
 

This card was a challenge for me. I am not the best at the altered items and moving parts. But I did it! I followed a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers - it is here if you want to try your hand at it. The second image shows me lifting up the tab from the top and the image below is it laying down so that you can see the images and the words. I put some purple buttons on the corners with a red pearn in the center of them. I have to say I am not thrilled with the way it turned out, it took me a couple of days and that is a LONG time for a card. The good thing is - - my dear grand-daugher Ella will love it and that is the important thing! Her birthday is next week - 9 already. 

 

The challenge for this week is DANCING - Make a card that "moves" (ie. tilt card, slider, pop up, waterfall, etc."

Our sponsor this week is Designed to Delight with a $10 gift certificate to the store!

Be sure to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week:

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Cupcake Birthday by MFP. (this set is no longer available but there is another similar one)
Paper: SU: Barely Banana and Orchid Opulance

Designer Paper: Cosmo Cricket - Pixie-Licioous

Other: Scorepal - buttons - ribbon

Challenges:

Simon Says Challenges - Anything goes
Inspire Me Fridays - always anything goes
Wags 'n Whiskers - birthday 
The Rubber Cafe - use Spellbinder die(s) 
Southern Girls - happy birthday
Fab 'n' Funky - food
Ruby's Rainbow - Happy Birthday (2nd wk)
Your Next Stamp Challenge -  buttons (2nd wk)

CSS - Technique Blog Hop - 7/15/2011

It is another StampTV blog hop. This time around we are showcasing a technique called paper piecing. I happen to really enjoy this technique. If you have not tried it before then go to the StampTV archives and watch Gina's video. Easy and fun! 
You should have arrived from Melissa Shultz blog. I am sure that she did some fantastic paper piecing!

This card was such a blast! I used 2 stamp sets both from Theresa Momber called Whimsical Wishes and the other is Vogue Vases. Do they not work well together?!! I also used a fabulous paper pack by Echo Park called "A Walk in the Park". I stamped the first flower image on some GinaK Pure Luxury White with Memento Bamboo Leaves ink. The 2 vases were stamped on the DP and cut out. Then I took scraps from the paper and made lots of flowers and cut them all out. The second vase is popped up and so are the flowers and leaves. On the bottom of the card I stamped some of the leaves (stamped off once) and then scored some lines. The sentiment was stamped on that portion. The dragonfly was also stamped on the EP paper. I added some gems and a ribbon and distressed the entire thing with some Tea Dye Distress Ink. The card base is GKD Cranberry Tart and the panel is GKD Sweet Corn. I used the sketch from Card Patterns. 

 

This second card was just too fun for words. I pulled out an older stamp set called Beach Bum that was designed by Rupa. Even the name is fun! I paper pieced the towel, umbrella, and beach ball. For this set I pulled out a brand new paper pack by Echo Park called Splash! I literally opened it up a couple of days ago and knew that it had to make a card for this hop. Did you notice the FlowerSoft (sand)? Is that not too cool? I also had just received the newest card stock color from GKD called Blue Raspberry - that paired with some white and and Ocean Mist made for a beachy kind of card! I used a sponge and template to create the whispy clouds and some Stickles to give the card the bling effect. The Sketch for this card was created by Tami for CPS (Card Positioning System). 

Your next stop is another favorite stop on this hop, be sure to give all your attention to the super creative Sharri Seffins! If you want to start at the beginning  or get lost along the way, just jump directly to the links for all of the wonderful creations on StampTV.


As always, your comments really do mean a lot to me. Thank you for leaving them.

The Vine

I was thrilled to be asked to help showcase Melanie Muenchinger's newest stamp set designed for GinaK Designs called The Vine. It was one of those jumping up and down moments - and when I saw the stamp set, well it was love at first sight! The sayings were right up my ally and the design is totally Melanie! Today she is showcasing one of my cards on her blog, Hands, Head and Heart and here I am showing another card that I made. 

This first card was so fun and easy! I had ordered the silver doilies from StampTV and had not yet opened them. The right thing just had not come at me for it - until now.  I had stamped the verse first on GKD Pure Luxury White and it sat on my desk while I made 2 other cards with this set. One of those is on Melanie's blog right now and the other I will show at another time. Then the doilies popped into my line of vision and the card came to me and came together very quickly. I used my Spellbinder dies for the circle and the scalloped circle placed them on the doily and that is my focal image. Then I stamped the vine twice and silver heat embossed it on the GKD In the Navy card stock. I wanted a splash of color so I colored and cut out the flowers and popped them on. A few silver pearls finished it off. I stamped a single vine in blue on the inside of the card.

This second card is the fastest card I ever made in my life - truly it is! My stamp set arrived the day of the StampTV release party and I wanted to have a card to showcase for the party. I started stamping just at the release party was starting and posted it within the first hour. That included a badly photographed image too! This is a new photograph of the card. I stamped the vine on GKD white card stock and the verse on another piece. While trying (operative word here is trying) to keep up with the release party conversation I colored the vines and flowers and cut the flowers out. I then used the Spellbinder die that was out on my table from another project and a scrap of Basic Grey DP (can't find which one it was) for the mat around the verse. A little distress ink - some ribbon and some finely cut fancy fibers for the center of the flower, quick photo (in bad lighting) and posted it. 

Same stamps, same verse, two very different cards.

Thanks for stopping by and for your always welcome comments,

Hello: James 2: 18, 19

The holiday weekend is over (and it was wonderful) and now it is the wonderful lazy days of summer. Being a teacher has summer vacation as a huge benefit! I am so glad you could join us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for another challenge based on scripture!

This week sweet Rebekka is our hostess and the verse she chose this week is James, chapter 2 verses 18 and 19.

"But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works". Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. "

It goes together, faith and doing good. In a way I am very selfish - it makes ME feel good to help others and to do things at the church and for those less fortunate. Not everyone shows their faith in the same way - so I do caution myself to not let this verse lead me to judge another persons faith by their works. For me - it goes together.

I made a very simple card today. Something that "works" for me is paper piecing. I use that technique a lot. I also like to use my scraps and the pieced sections were all scraps that were laying on my craft table. This card is simple for me, but it worked. 

The challenge for this week is to do "what works for you" use your favorite item for stamping, it could be a stamp, embossing folder, favorite spellbinder shape.

.

Our sponsor this week is our ever faithful Simon Says Stamps with an adorable stamp set!

Be sure to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week:

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Sending you Sunshine by TCM
Paper: GinaK Kraft

Designer Paper: scraps

Other: Scorepal

Challenges:

2 Sisters - Summer Fun
Crazy 4 Challenges - Summer Themed
Allsorts - July long Free & Easy
Less Is More - One Layer Card - Something With Legs (the bird)
Alphabet Challenge -  J just for one word 

 

Simple Peace: Psalm 46:10

This is a busy weekend for me and also fun since I will have a house full of family by the time you read this.  I am so glad you could join us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for another challenge based on scripture!

This week dear PeggySue is our hostess with the verse and the challenge. The verse she chose is so beautiful and powerful from the book of Psalms 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God "

Less is more - we have all heard that and even said it. This verse is short and sweet but has an incredible message! It is a message that I cannot hear too often. "Be still and KNOW that I am God" The be still tells me to not worry - just be still - He is and He is here. Powerful message!

CAS cards are not so "simple" for me. In fact this is the second card I made for this because the first became just a bit too fussy! I will have to use that one another time. All I did was stamp the dahlia onto the white panel then colored it with my Copics. Um - just was looking at the card and wondering if I stamped the image upside down? Is there an right and wrong with a single flower. Not sure now. Anyway - the sentiment is from one of GinaK's new stamps set called "The Vine" (designed by Melanie) and said exactly what I wanted this card to say. 

The challenge for this week is to make a CAS (clean and simple) card.

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps with a $15 gift card!

Be sure to stop by my SSIC design sisters to see what they have to share this week:

Chris Olsen: Twinkles Glow With Stamps

Grace Nywening: Th-INK-ing of You

Linda Lucas: Lovely Linda's Craft Central

Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow 

Peggysue Turner: Roses By My Window

Rebekka Reed: Diamond in the Rough
Kristine Breach: Ink Something
MariLynn DeGroot - Mississippi McGyver
Sabrina Jackson - SJ Butterfly Dreams
Randi Barret: A New Creation (On break)

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe:

Stamps: Dahlia - ODB, The Vine - GindaK Designs
Paper: GinaK Pure Luxury White

Designer Paper:None

Other: Ribbon, Copic Markers, Spellbinder Tag Die

Challenges:

Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes
JUGS - Sketch