Black and White Comfort and Assurance

This week the challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge  #144 is to make a card that is black and white. Black and white can be very classy or even formal. I chose a verse of comfort from Psalms for this card. When the pressures of life seem overwhelming, we can hide under His sheltering feathers, so to speak. We should seek His comfort first when we lose a loved one.

The day the doctor told me and other family members that we had to turn off life support and let my mother die or remove her from the hospital, the sorrow seemed unbearable. I stayed at the hospital alone, feeling crushed, crying out to God for that refuge that a chick seeks from the mother hen's wings in distress. He replaced that feeling of aloneness and despair with His presence and gave me the strength to minister to my mom's needs as they moved her from ICU to the room where she would pass on to be with the Lord. I was the last one to share Scripture and words of love with her. She responded to the things I told her, so God let me know that she heard me and understood. This experience will forever be a precious memory.

I'm hoping that this verse will be an encouragement for someone else to turn toward God's protection and comfort in a difficult time. "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

The bird image and sentiment are from Our Daily Bread Design's "You Will Find Refuge." The papers are from the "For Always" collection from Close To My Heart. The black cardstock was embossed with the Cuttlebug "Kassie's Brocade" embossing folder, but our dark cloudy weather doesn't help it to photograph well. I used a Spellbinder's label die cut behind the sentiment. Since I used translucent white organdy ribbon (with satin edges) I thought some white vellum flowers would be appropriate.

May God bless, comfort, and care for you when you take shelter under His wings.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #144 - black and white/cream
C.R.A.F.T. #196 - embossing
Crafty Ribbons #40 - anything goes with ribbon
D.L.Art Thankful Thursday #104 - birds, anything to do with birds
Word Art Wednesday #69 - anything goes with scripture or encouraging sentiment
 

VLV February Sketch 4 - Encouragement

Today I was talking with a friend who often feels defeated financially and with health problems. I was able to share specific instances in my own younger days that were identical to her issues. We talked about having that childlike trust in God, like children do with their parents, that He will provide the answers. I told her that someday she'll have this amazing testimony of what God did to help her out of that situation. I love the Psalms for expressing how much we need to lean on God through life's difficulties. The sentiment from Verve that I used today is a perfect reminder of that. I'm hoping this card will be an encouragement for someone in need.

Here is my last card for the Viva La Verve Challenge this month using their wonderful sketch.

One of the "zip strip" borders on the paper had buttons. That inspired me to put actual buttons slightly smaller in the same color on each of them.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Paper Playtime - Use a sentiment stamp
Tuesday Throwdown #136 - Thinking of You
Viva la Verve February challenge, week 4
Word Art Wednesday #69 - anything goes with scripture or encouragement



5" x 6.5" Encouragement Card Recipe:
Paper - Close To My Heart "Claire" paper pack (and a small older scrap for "ribbon")
Stamp - Verve Psalm 31:24 Plain Jane
Ink - CTMH Black, Outdoor Denim, Hollyhock
Accents - CTMH buttons, Hobby Lobby satin ribbon. unknown striped twill
Tools - Spellbinders Nestabilities, Martha Stewart border punch
 

Mojo Monday 282 Encouragement Card

This week at Mojo Monday we have a choice between square or round. I made this card while blizzard winds were whipping the snow outside into four and five foot drifts. It was such a happy thing to play with flowers and dream of warmer days - the desires of my heart at this time like the verse below says. This is a quick post in case our electricity goes off again.

Cricut Art Philosophy cut the green leafy stem, 2.25" circle and the 2.5" scalloped circle. The flowers and butterfly were CTMH creme brulee, colored with sponges using Softie and Cocoa inks. The ribbon, sorbet brads, and brown pearls were also CTMH. The lovely verse is a Plain Jane from Verve.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Cards By Lady Anne Sentimental for Fridays - anything goes with a sentiment
Created with Love - Bright and Cheery
Mojo Monday #282 - sketch
Paper Playtime #4- Use a sentiment stamp
Sentimental Sundays #143- flowers, flowers, flowers
 

PSC68 - CAS Get Well Card

We've been experiencing a blizzard since last night. Since we live in the country, surrounded by pastures, the wind has blown some of our snow into five foot drifts. The power has been off for a while, so I'm keeping this post short in case it goes off again. The best part about blizzards is that I get to stay inside and watch large numbers of different birds huddling in my wisteria and feeding at our patio bird feeders.

The worst aspect of this huge snowstorm is that people will still become ill and need to go to the hospital when the roads are sometimes impassable. This morning I awoke praying for the ambulance drivers and others who are gravely ill. One of our daughters is a nurse at a dialysis facility. People go there all day and all night to get life-saving dialysis, blizzard or not. So "get well" thoughts and prayers have really been on my mind today. This card perfectly fits my thoughts today.

Our challenge at The Perfect Sentiment Challenge 68:

CREATE A CARD WITH A SENTIMENT OF GET WELL (THESE EXACT WORDS DO NOT HAVE TO BE USED) AND MAKE IT CLEAN AND SIMPLE.

Our sponsor is Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps, who is providing a generous $10 voucher for one lucky winner.

The stamp I used is Stitchy Bear's "Under the Weather." I embossed most of the card front with raindrops, colored the printed image with Copics and die cut it off center with a Spellbinder's Nestabilities label, slicing off the left side. I stippled a little Indian Corn Blue ink on the image before pop dotting it on the card. I typed my sentiment in Word and attached it on the bottom with the gingham ribbon between the sentiment and the image. All very simple.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
365 Cards - Hats
Addicted to CAS #7 - Masculine
All Sorts #195 - Animals
Alphabet Challenge - A for Anything with Wings (duck)
Craft-room challenge - something for a man



 

Twist of Faith Challenge Stitching - Real or Faux

When I was seven years old my grandmother brought me a little sewing kit she'd made for me and began teaching me to embroider.  I usually prefer to hand stitch on cards and scrapbook pages because I find it rather soothing while watching TV. Maybe that's because it reminds me of my dear grandmother who was an accomplished seamstress, both by hand and by machine. So I loved this week's challenge at Twist of Faith.

 Our sponsor for this week, Robyn's Fetish! Our randomly drawn winner will receive their choice of five (5) digital images from Robyn's Fetish ... and we thank our sponsor for their generous prize

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is proud to sponsor this challenge. Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is owned by Robyn Weinrib. Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers, designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

This week our challenge theme is:

STITCHING!
and a scripture, or uplifting verse or positive words of healing, encouragement, or support

I chose a verse about God being a "Sun and shield" for us.  There are a number of flowers, like the sunflower, who always turn their faces toward the sun throughout the day. I think that's a beautiful lesson for us to keep our eyes on the Lord as we go through the day, all day.

My card uses Sunflower 1 from Robyn's Fetish so I thought the verse should be on a "sun." I punched holes around the edge and used what I call a whipping stitch using yellow crochet thread, which I hoped were symbolic of the rays we often draw around a sun.

I mounted my Copic-colored image on papers from Graphic45 "BotanicaBella" and "Tropical Travelogue."  I used Chocolate and Vineyard Berry waxy flax to make french knots on the sunflower's center and in place of brads or other small embellishments. I also used a stitched ribbon to go with this week's theme. The tiny little buttons I used were threaded with thin bits of the yellow crochet thread which could actually be separated into 6 strands.

 

I  hope you'll join our challenge by sharing your own form of stitching, real or faux. I can't wait to see what you create!

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards #33 - buttons and bows

Crafty Cardmakers #85 - flower/s as the main focus

Gingerloft - ribbons and bows

Love to Create #54 - Wrap it up - string, twine, or fiber

Paper Playtime #4 - use a sentiment stamp (the Verve Psalm 84:11 Plain Jane)

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Tweet

The big white flakes are coming down again. Last week we had 9 or 10 inches of snow. This storm is supposed to bring our area 8 - 12 more inches. This is when I'm really glad I'm retired and no longer teaching in the city. However, I still find myself reading the school closings as they scroll across the TV screen while I'm supposed to be reorganizing my craft room. So I decided it was a better use of my time to make a snowy themed card.

I was filing away some old striped and polka dotted paper when I remembered the challenge at Cards in Envy. One of their requirements is to make a card no thicker than 1/4." I decided to combine this with the masculine card theme of wintertime at Cards for Men, using this Critter Sketch 153, rotated vertically:

 

 

I adore this snowman with his bird friends from CDS. I've been watching cardinals, bluejays, and chickadees on my patio today having a feeding frenzy where we put out bird seed on top of the snow, in a feeder, and on the birdbath. So this card is an expression of my day today.

To keep the embellishments masculine and not very thick, I used simple layers, like white twill layered with brown checked ribbon and Martha Stewart snowflakes matted with kraft Cricut shadows and a red spot of punched paper in the center - no sparkles or pearls that I'd put for girls. I also scissor distressed the white mat under the striped paper. The sentiment ovals were punched. I didn't have a die the right size for the main image, so I estimated the size, cut Oval4 using Cricut Art Philosophy, then I lined my colored image on the mat in place of the oval and the Cricut did the rest.

For my friends in the midwest - May you be warm, safe, and off the roads during the next two days of snow!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Cards for Men #4 - Wintertime
Cards in Envy February Challenge - polka dots and/or stripes
Critter Sketch Challenge #153 - sketch above
Digi Haven - Snow/Snowflakes
Digi Makeover Challenge #77 - Stripes

6.5" x 5" Card Recipe:
Image and Sentiment - CDS "Snow Tweet" blue colored image
Paper - CTMH retired Star Spangled Blue patterned paper, white daisy and kraft cardstock; red dp scrap unknown
Accents - white twill and checked ribbon from stash
Tools - printer, Marvy Uchida scalloped oval punches, Cricut Art Philosophy, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, 1/8" punch




 

Our Daily Bread Designs SLC143 - Easter

Many years ago when I had just turned seven, I was sitting with my parents in church when I heard what the pastor had been saying about Jesus dying on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. When he emphasized that we had to receive it like a gift, I knew I had never received His gift. I had been in church all of my life (seven years) feeling like I belonged. But at that moment of realization, I felt like an outsider, not bound for heaven. I asked my parents if I could go forward and talk to the pastor. They had him come to our house that afternoon. He sat on the sofa with me and talked about the meaning of Christ's death and salvation. That was where I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me of all my sins, like being mean to my little sister or telling a lie to my parents. Then I asked Jesus to come into my heart. Receiving that gift of salvation shaped the rest of my life.

I made this Easter card using a Christmas stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs. I felt the sentiment was perfect for telling what we're thankful for about the Easter story. The empty cross tells the rest. His death was the substitute for my own. And He rose to show us that if we receive that gift, we could have eternal life, like Him, with Him. Christmas isn't the only holiday with a gift of love. It was just the beginning, leading to the greatest gift.

 

I used a free vintage digital image from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings. The paper is a combination of Prima and Close To My Heart. I chose a special ribbon to match the image, but it's been in my ribbon box so long I don't know it's source, either. The flowers are from two different Prima sets, topped with CTMH pearl opaques. The ODBD stamp set I used is His Gift.

 

I pray that you also will know the greatness beauty of His indescribable gift in your life.

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Dream Valley Challenge #51 - Ribbon and Bling
Our Daily Bread Designs SLC143 - Easter
Sentimental Sundays #143 - Flowers, flowers, and more flowers
Word Art Wednesday 68 - Anything Goes

Celebrate Today VLV Sketch 2

When I was growing up, my family always made birthdays really special, starting the moment we woke up. There was always your favorite foods at mealtime and a cake with ice cream as well as lots of relatives and friends. My family always made us feel that it was truly "our day." There was never a lot of money for expensive gifts, but the whole day seemed special. I tried to do the same with my own children so I've been glad to see that my children have continued that tradition with their children. 

 

For Viva La Verve February week 2 I made a birthday card.  In addition to the sketch, there was also an optional color challenge. Instead of using black and pink, I chose gray and a soft pink. The sentiment is from an older Close To My Heart birthday set and was stamped using their Slate ink.

 

 

 

 

I started the idea for my card with the pink ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon and matched paper to it. I used the ribbon "banners" for the pennants in the design and almost cut the sentiment into a banner shape, but it covered too much of the ribbons. I used three sizes/kinds of CTMH sparkles to make it ready for a really special birthday celebration for a friend who loves pink and bling.

 

I'm also sharing this card with the following challenges:
Guylou's Inimitability challenge - Bingo (Bling, flowers, ribbon)
Ladybug Crafts Ink - pink plus one color (mine is pink and gray)
Southern Girls Challenge #63 - banners or pennants (from ribbon)
The Paper Shelter #100 - Celebrations (for my friend's birthday)

 

CIC69 - Black and White and One Other Color

This week at the Clearly Inspired Challenge we have a favorite color challenge:

We want to see a mostly white and black card with a pop of one color of your choice.

 

I used the digi set for this month called "Splats." I chose the pink splat and the sentiment that went with it. I layered the png files so that the sentiment fit on top of the splat. I may have used a little too much pink with that big polka dotted ribbon, but it's been calling to me for some time and I always ignore it. I plan to use this card for a friend some time when really good news is shared and I want her to know how happy I am about it. (I have a couple of friends that I'm hoping to hear that they'll soon be a grandma!) Of course, that sentiment could be for new job, engagment or wedding news, too.

 



 

I embossed the white panel with the 5" x 7" dots Cuttlebug folder to go with the Black and white dotted dp from Basic Grey's "Little Black Dress." After printing the "splat" and sentiment, I die cut it with the Spellbinders Nestabilities "Heart Circles." I decided to mat it with a 3" solid black cardstock circle. Overall, this design is really simple.

 

I  hope you'll join our challenge and show us your interpretation of our color challenge. Can't wait to see what you make!

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Bearly Mine #74 - lace/ribbon/twine
Crafty Catz - Dies and Punches

The Pretty Little Ribbon Challenge #19 - Anything Goes

 

 

 

 

Light Tomorrow with Today VLV Sketch 3

I wanted to use the horizontal Plain Jane stamp set with this lovely quote from Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "Light tomorrow with today." To me, it can apply to so many situations. It seems obvious that so many of us work hard in some endeavor, such as getting an education, in order to make life better in the future. But I see more applications, such as raising a family or preparing your home for company. (It could even apply to cleaning up my crafting area!) The work you do today can make tomorrow a better day.

Here's the 3rd sketch for February provided by Viva La Verve on Splitcoast Stampers.

 

 

 The Basic Grey "Out of Print" dp that I used for the sentiment looked like the pattern was white washed with white paint, but I lightly sanded the portion that would be stamped so it wouldn't interfere with the sentiment. I really liked using the pink translucent buttons tied with dark green waxy flax where the pattern had hearts. The pink ribbon, flax, and buttons were all from Close To My Heart.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations #29 - Buttons and Bows
Bearly Mine #74 - Lace/Ribbon/ or twine
LEJ DEsigns #41 - Buttons
Stampotique Designers' Challenge #88 - Use Text (newsprint dp under the sentiment)
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #115 - Anything Goes

Viva La Verve February Sketch 1

Here in the Kansas City area, we're having a snowstorm that's supposed to go on for another day. We're supposed to get 12 inches of snow. It's a great time to craft, but it means sharing internet time with hubby who is back home from work after driving nearly two hours. As soon as he got home, they closed the interstate that he has to take to and from work.

It's been a while since I used the sketches provided by Viva La Verve challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. Here is the first one for February:

I thought it was perfect for crafting with one of my favorite verses. This type of sketch allows me to make the sentiment the focus. With the angle of my camera, it unfortunately seems that I covered the word "desires" with the flower. I've had a hard time getting photos to turn out since yesterday when it became cloudy and dark.

The sentiment verse is a Plain Jane from Verve. I used the "Dolled Up" paper pack from My Mind's Eye. It has such fresh, youthful papers. I decided to combine them with white and gray.  The Cuttlebug embossing folder I used is called "Plum Blossoms." My die cuts are from Cricut Artiste, cut at 2.25" and 2.5." The button and twine are from Close To My Heart. I think the flower is from Recollections.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Crafting for All Seasons #46 - Dies and Punches
Paper Playtime #4 - Use a Sentiment Stamp
Squigglefly #7 - Use a Sentiment
Word Art Wednesday #68 - Anything Goes with Scripture or uplifting verse.

PSC67 - Floral Fantasia

We're about to get 8 inches of snow, according to the weathermen. My eyes are truly hungry for the early spring flowers in my garden. So here's a challenge to remind us of that quote:

No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow.

The Perfect Sentiment Challenge for this week is:

CREATE A CARD WITH A SENTIMENT FOR THE OCCASION OF YOUR CHOICE. USE FLOWERS ANYWAY YOU LIKE. USE ANY FORM OF FLOWERS YOU WANT.

Our sponsor this week is Beccy's Place. I used one of her lovely images called "Shabby Chic Birdhouse." One lucky winner of this challenge will receive 3 free images from Beccy's Place.

I used this lovely sketch from Digi Sketch Challenge to make my card.

I loved this image of a birdhouse with its scrollwork trim, adorned by roses. I decided to color the roses like some English roses I have in my garden. The yellow strip on the left was embossed with Cuttlebug's "Gypsophilia, or Baby's Breath" and the raised portion was inked with CTMH Buttercup Chalk ink. The Prima paper I used has yellow roses and tiny purple flowers. the bottom strip is CTMH with purple flowers, but became covered with flowers and ribbon, so it doesn't show. The sentiment stamped strip and small green jewels on the right are also from CTMH. The flowers are a mix of Recollections and some very old purple of unknown source.

I'm dedicating this card to my friend, Chris. We've been friends since 7th grade and have gone through a lot together. Today is the one year anniversary of her husband's death. I know that's hard, but she has always been a cheerleader for everyone, just like she was in high school. We were both teachers for 30 years and both taught first graders, and share a common faith. She has never stopped being one of the sweetest, most positive people I know, thus the sentiment, "tweety." She's spending the winter in a warm climate, but is forever on my mind and in my prayers. I woke up today praying for her, not remembering the significance of today. I came downstairs and looked where I kept her husband's obituary, and knew why God had placed concern for her in my heart. I've learned over the years that if someone comes to mind that way, I should pray for them. It's no coincidence, but His Spirit working in my heart and mind and there's a good reason that person needs prayer.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Come and Get It - Green, yellow, purple (and neutral gray)

 

Digi Sketch Challenge - sketch (or theme)Created With Love #29 - Things that Fly
Cuttin' and Stampin' #7 - Purple, green and yellow
Forever Friends February - animals (birds)
Stamp and Create - Spring


 

Mojo Monday 281 Birthday Blessing

This was a quick, fun birthday card to make. I started with the Recollections flower that I wanted to use and added My Mind's Eye paper and some ribbon to match. This is a color combo that I find refreshing. I used a dark brown Bazzill mat and button, but they almost look black in my photo. I looked in my ribbon stash for a blue to match my sentiment mat and came up with one that also had the green of this paper. I've been scrapbooking and "collecting" ribbon for so many years I can't remember the source.

I overlapped my circles and ribbon a little differently than the sketch, but I know the Mojo Makers won't mind! My intent was to make the circles and embellishment a cluster, my favorite way to embellish, leaving a little extra "white" space near the top. The stamp is from Our Daily Bread Design's "Happy Birthday." The button, sorbet waxy flax, leaves, and mocha opaques (pearls) are from Close To My Heart.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Creative Card Crew #30 - Birthday
Deep Ocean #45 - the letter "B" - birthday, blessings, blue
Inky Chicks #4 - Birthday (or Mother's Day)
Papertake Weekly - Buttons and/or Bling (mocha pearls)
Make My Monday - Ribbon and Buttons
Mojo Monday 281 - sketch
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Bingo (pearls, diecuts, ribbon diagonal)

 

Twist of Faith Challenge #25 - Spring Colors

Where I live the winter colors outside my window are a drab gray and brown. Even the evergreen trees take on a brownish cast in winter. My eyes are longing for the beautiful colors of spring, so it was a delight to make this card for our latest challenge at Twist of Faith:

SPRING COLOURS

and a scripture, or uplifting verse or positive words of healing, encouragement, or support

Our sponsor is From the Heart Stamps, previously known as Designed 2 Delight. They will provide seven images to a lucky winner.

I used their image called "Lil' Birdie" to make my card today.

I remember memorizing a large portion of Matthew 6 when I was twelve. The image and sentiment that I used today reminded me of verse 26, a promise that God will will help us take care of our needs like He does for the sparrows:

"Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge #67 - Dies and Punches

All Sorts #194 - Things with Wings

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Feb - Flowers and Pearls

Created with Love #29 - Things that Fly

Cutie Pie Challenge #38 - Pretty Pastels

Forever Friends - February - Animals and/or Butterflies and/or Birds

Ink it Pink - In the Garden

Natalie and Amy #6 - Something old (5 yr.old ribbon) Something new (fleur de lis rectangle die)

Really Reasonable Ribbon #66 - Spring colors and ribbon

Whoopsi Daisy - Make It Girly

 

6.5" x 5" Card Recipe:

Image - From the Heart digi "Lil' Birdie"

Paper - Close To My Heart "Chantilly" paper pack, "Lucy," Sweet Leaf cardstock;  white cardstock

Alcohol Ink Markers - CTMH Creme Brulee, Cotton Candy, Sweet Lear, Copics - N0, N2,E0, E11, YR61, Y11, Y13,  B00

Accents - CTMH adhesive pearls; Recollections floral embellishments, ribbon from stash

Tools - Spellbinders Nestabilities Fleur de Lis Rectangle die; My FAvorite Things flourish die 

 

 

Scripture Encouragement Box with Mojo Monday Card

Today we are going to a birthday party, a very difficult one. My husband's uncle just found out he only has a couple of month's left to live. He knows his 80th birthday will be his last one. I tried to decide what would be an appropriate gift. Adding to his worldly possessions seems superfluous. The best gift I could imagine is an inviting collection of Scripture verses that encourage. When my time comes, that's what I want to fill my mind with. It always helps me through physical illness.

Last fall I posted "Get Well" papercrafted "purses" that had verses I typed or stamped with Our Daily Bread Designs scripture. This time I wanted a masculine version. I used Word Art Wednesday verses from the past couple of years, along with some from Papercraft Memories. I decorated a tea box with a masculine theme, using paper and images my husband picked out. I printed the verses on 4" x 6" notecards, two to a card which was then cut in half, just the right size for this box. I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch, rotated on it's side,for his matching birthday card. I used the birthday greeting from Our Daily Bread Designs set called "Happy Birthday."

My husband said he liked to fish and picked this image from the Graphic45 Botanical collection.

The top of the box has paper and images from Graphic45 and some antique gold Durables from Close To My Heart.

Here is a sample verse from Word Art Wednesday on May 9, 2012. There are so many uplifting verses that you can print for a project like this. Besides the strength they can give someone, they're also designed to have visual appeal, which hopefully invites the reader to read them again and again.

I plan to make another one for my daughter's birthday later this month to be used as a suppertime verse of the day that the family can read and discuss.

I hope this inspires you to make something to share God's Word.

I'm sharing this project with the following challenges:
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light #142- animals (fish)
Mojo Monday 280 - sketch for card
Word Art Wednesday #67 - scripture cards inside the box

5" x 6.5" Birthday Card and Scripture Box Recipe:
Paper - Graphic 45 "Botanical" and "Tropical Travelogue;" Bazill cardstock (gold and black); CTMH Colonial White cardstock
Stamp - Our Daily Bread Designs "Happy Birthday"
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Close To My Heart Autumn Terracotta
Accents - CTMH Black Hemp, Washi Tape (gray polka dotted), Antique Gold Durables, and corrugated star from Milepost Shapes; (binding ring unknown)
Tools - Cuttlebug embossing folder; Martha Stewart border punch


 

CDS February Blog Hop - Happy Birthday Cards

Welcome to the Clearly Digital Stamps blog hop. I am so pleased that you stopped by. Our blog hop theme this month is Happy Birthday.

PRIZES: We will have one winner from every DT member's blog. I will be choosing one person who comments on my blog to win the zip file of the digi stamp set I used on this card, Bless My Bloomers. Please leave your email address so I can notify you if you are chosen.

Winners will be chosen by 5pm eastern time on Wednesday, February 20th and notified by email on Thursday.  

The next stop  is Jerusha's blog.

BLOG ROLL LIST & DIGI SETS:
CLEARLY iSTAMP
LAURA - Monster Mash
CASSIE - Eat More Cake
JENNIPHER - Ice Cream Social
VICKIE - Bless My Bloomers (that's me)
JERUSHA - Birthday Critters
JEN - Monster Mash
LISA - Bumbles
LINDA - Hoot Hoots

I'm also sharing this card with the following blogs:
Shopping our Stash #89 - They Say It's Your Birthday ( + ancient ribbon from my stash)
Broken Box Stock #20 - Happy Birthday
Card Makin' Mamas - Birthday card
Papertake Weekly - Hearts and Flowers (How about a plant whose flowers are hearts!)
No Matter Which #6 - ribbons and bows
Try Stampin' On Tuesday #105 - sketch:

6.5" x 5" Birthday Card Recipe:
Image and sentiment - CDS Bless My Bloomers
Markers - Copics 0, G20, YG03; Close To My Heart Alcohol Ink Olive, Sweet Leaf, Sweet Leaf Dark, Sky, Sky Light, Cotton Candy Light, Smoky Plum, Smoky Plum Light
Papers - CTMH Chantilly, White Daisy cardstock
Accents - CTMH Green/Blue Sparkles; Recollections flower; organdy ribbon from stash, Wilton doily
Tools - printer, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Square, Sakura glitter gel pen (for glittery highlights on heart leaves and flower-didn't show up well in photo)


 

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You Card

I have the most amazing husband who showers me with love, kindness, and gifts. This week I surprised him with a reservation to a quaint restaurant for a romantic dinner. We don't eat out often because I have serious food allergies. We also live in the country which makes a long day for him if he drives home to get me and then back to the city. We found this restaurant in Excelsior Springs which is only 11 miles from us. The Ventana has a nice menu and a pianist who serenaded us with love songs. I knew this would be a treat for him as well as for me. He surprised me with a rose and four large storage organizers for paper crafters. I made this card for him to share my love and appreciation.

I used this lovely sketch from Designed to Delight's I Heart Sketches #5:

I tried two new things, mixing masculine and feminine papers to represent the two of us and tying two buttons together with one bow. Just a little subtle symbolism. I also wanted the card to be Clean And Simple in style. I wanted to keep the CAS design of this card on the inside, as well.

I loved the pattern of the pink Chantilly paper and repeated it with an embossing folder just the right size for a paper strip. (I've always loved the fact that my hubby isn't prejudiced against pink.) The stamps, ink, papers (Chantilly & Roxy) , red button, and waxy flax are all from Close To My Heart. Spellbinder's made the heart circle die and the embossing folder that matches my pink paper is from Cuttlebug.

Thank you for visiting and may God bless your life with loving friends and family.

2 Sisters Challenge #131 - Love or Valentine
Amusing Challenge - use the word "You" and no digi
Aud Sentiments - show the inside sentiment
A Gem of a Challenge #67 - Dies or Punches
Crafty Calendar Challenge (February) - Love and Marriage
Designed to Delight's I Heart Sketches #5 - sketch
Fab 'n' Funky #158 - What's Inside? (decorate the inside)
Heart2Heart - Love is in the air with Close To My Heart products
Little Claire's Designs - Love and Romance

 

February Release Day at Clearly Digi Stamps - 3rd Card

This last card I'm sharing at Clearly iStamp is exactly what I need to send to my eight-year-old granddaughter. Her family has a cat and I know she'll understand the humorous pun in the sentiment. It comes from the set called "Cutie Pie." I used one of the outline images and colored it with Copics to match my papers.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday #256  - An Eye for Details - you have to look closely to see some of my details (hearts embossed on blue dp, row of crocheted flowers, similar dp's on bottom two strips. Extra details -all buttons threaded with waxy flax but one tied in a bow)
Crafty Ribbons #39 - buttons and ribbon
Cuttin' and Stampin' #6 - make something with an animal
Delightful Challenge - Frilly - scallops and crocheted lace
Inky Impressions #97 - ribbon or twine
MilkCoffe Challenge - make it cute

6.5" x 5" Card Recipe:
Digital Image and Sentiment - CDS Cutie Pie Outline
Ink and Markers- Close To My Heart Tulip Ink and Alcohol Markers Outdoor Denim, Blush, Sorbet, Autumn Terracotta; Copics E00 Skin White, E11 Barely Beige, E33 Sand, YR68 Orange
Paper - CTMH "Claire," and Colonial White cs
Accents - Dress It Up Buttons, Making Memories lace; CTMH Bubblegum organdy ribbon, Colonial White Waxy flax; Prima Essentials 11 Londonderry and Printery Flowers
Tools - Printer, Spellbinder's Nestailities "Lacey Ovals," The Paper Studio "Tiny Hearts" embossing folder; CTMH Stipple Brush
 

February Digi Release Day at Clearly Digi Stamps - Card #2

This is the 2nd post today for Clearly iStamp with a new set of digi stamps.

This set has color and outline crosses with different words that can be "pasted" on the cross. I chose Believe for an Easter card.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Anything Goes #86 - Vintage/shabby chic
Inky Impressions #97 - ribbon or twine
Crafty Blogger's Network #8 - anything goes
Pretty Little Ribbon #19 - anything goes (with ribbon)



6.5" x 5" Easter Card Recipe:
Digital Image - Seasonal Crosses colored digi
Paper - Graphic45 "Little Darlings"(blue), and "Once Upon a Springtime" (pink); Close To My Heart cardstocks-Colonial White, White Daisy, Kraft
Ink - CTMH Chocolate
Accents - CTMH bamboo organdy, Mocha pearls
Tools - printer, Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Cuttlebug script embossing folder, sponge

February Digi Release Day at Clearly Digi Stamps - Card #1

I'm happy to share three posts today made with the new February Digi images that you'll find at Clearly iStamp.  This first one is called Sometimes You're the Bug. I loved the way it had so many different sentiments, including ones that could fit on the license plate.
  

 

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons #39 - Buttons (and ribbon)

Deep Ocean #45 - starts with "B" -  Bug for a Boy

Inky Impressions #97 - ribbon or twine

Tuesday Throwdown #134 - anything goes

 

 

 

5" x 6.5" Get Well Card Recipe:
Digital Image - CDS Sometimes You're the Bug outline and sentiment
Paper - Crate Paper dp; Bazzill cs (blue, red); unknown yellow check dp, white cardstock
Markers - Copics: Y11 Pale Yellow, G20 Wax White, B00 Frost Blue, N0, N2, N6 (neutral grays); CTMH Alcohol Markers: Smoothie, Cranberry
Accents - CTMH red grosgrain, chipboard dragonfly; red buttons from stash
Tools - printer, Photoshop CS, Cricut Art Philosophy (blue shape)
Techniques - 1)I decreased size of bug, rotated it 15 degrees, copied and pasted it on the windshield. Printed it onWhite cardstock. 2)Paper piecing-I cut out license plate, windshield and side windows from white printed copy and pasted on yellow checked copy


 

PSC #66 - Furry Friendship Card

This week The Perfect Sentiments team has the following challenge for you:

CREATE A CARD THAT USES AN ANIMAL IMAGE AND FRIENDSHIP SENTIMENT.

Our challenge is being sponsored by 2 Cute Ink where this week's winner will be able to select 3 free digis.

A few months ago we were "adopted" by a really cute, young gray cat. Since we live in the country, cats are likely to show up because someone has "dumped" them. A nearby cousin also has a gray cat. Both of them purr so loudly and so much more than ordinary cats. So I chose a sentiment about friends singing the song in your heart and this image of a girl with three calico kitten friends. I imagine they are purring, singing the song in her heart.

I used this lovely sketch from Sketchy Colors #150 for the front of the card:

I found this free, vintage image at Clearly Vintage. It came from a thread advertisement. It was actually a rectangle that I cropped into an oval using the Elliptical Marquee Tool. Before printing it, I sized it to fit my oval Nestability die. A few words showed up on the edges, so I used the clone tool to "erase" those small portions.

The sentiment is a digi from Clear Dollar Stamps called Make a Joyful Noise. I divided it into two parts in Photoshop by selecting the top two lines, Edit/Copy, and select New, then Paste. There were a few pieces of the letters from the bottom part of the sentiment that were included when I pasted it into the new document, so I used the clone stamp to erase them. I repeated the same procedure to print just the bottom part of the sentiment that I put inside.

I hope you'll join our challenge with your own card showing Furry Friendship!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Anything Goes Challenge #86 - Vintage/Shabby Chic
Forever Friends February Challenge - Animals and/or butterflies and/or birds
Happy Campers #10 - Shabby Chic
Sketchy Colors #150 - sketch
Stamps & Fun = Creativity #138 - Vintage
The Ribbon Reel #46 - Spring Roses - yellow, pink, ribbon, flowers, and lace/twine

6" x 6" Friendship Card Recipe:
Image - Clearly Vintage "thread 3"
Sentiment digi - Clear Dollar Stamps "Make a Joyful Noise"
Paper - Close To My Heart "Chantilly" paper pack; Kraft cardstock
Ink - CTMH Chocolate
Accents - CTMH blush ribbon, Mocha pearls; Recollections, CTMH, and Prima flowers, Kaiser Craft lace
Tools - printer; Photoshop CS; Martha Stewart border punch; Spellbinder's Nestabilities Lacey Oval die;