Quick and Easy Easter Card

Before we leave today for an Easter Egg Hunt and Supper with some family, I made one more Easter card for the young girls. I used a colored digi image, "Spring Trimmings," from Clear Dollar Stamps to make it quick and easy. I had made several backgrounds for cards so that I'd have something quick when I needed it. That cut the time considerably.  Then I printed the image and sentiment, cut it out, and pop dotted I on a doily. The doily needed a solid background, so I cut a scalloped circle using my largest Spellbinder's die in that set. I added flowers, made the sentiment into a tag, and tied it on the basket with white hemp.

This image set also had a set of 3 matching eggs, which I printed on the bottom of the inside panel. In Photoshop, I copied the three, chose File/New and set the dimensions for a 4" x 6" cardstock. I pasted it twice on the  new document, moved them to the bottom edge and printed. I enjoyed using this set pre-colored in order to save time, but it has all the images in outline form as well, along with many other springtime images.

Image: Spring Trimmings colored digi
Paper - Close To My Heart "Mayberry" paper pack
Accents - Wilton doily; CTMH flowers, ribbon, hemp, and olive brads, Recollections white flower
Tools - printer, Spellbinder's Nestabilities Scalloped Circle die

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #77 - card and sentiment for a child
Dilly Beans - Easter
Little Miss Muffett #57 - Happy Easter
Pattie's Creations - Easter
4 Crafty Chicks #135 - Easter

Vintage Easter Card

I wanted this Easter card to express the real reason for Easter. It doesn't have a cross or an empty tomb, but rather an expression of the love that Christ has for us all, which is, after all, the real reason He died and arose. The Graphics Fairy has so many free vintage images that are perfect for cards. I used one of their vintage Easter Cards to make this card.

I rotated this sketch from Sketch n Stash 180 degrees.

I printed the image on Epson mat photo paper, which helped bring out the rich colors. All of the designer papers (very old!!), cardstock, and pearls are from Close To My Heart. The pink lace was Offray's and the flower is from Recollections. I used a Spellbinder's Nestabilities rectangular die and the foliage . I inked the edges of the dp with CTMH Chocolate ink and scissor distressed all of the cardstock except the diecuts.

May your Easter be filled with love and blessings that you share with those around you!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Dream Valley #53 - Pearls and Lace
It's All About the Vintage #40 - Easter
Crafting By Design - Vintage Easter/Spring
Sketch n Stash #110 - sketch
Papercraft Star #138 - Easter

Viva La Verve March Week 2

Today I'm posting the last two cards for Viva La Verve March 2013, although they're not in order. Here is the sketch they gave us for Week 2 at Splitcoast Stampers.

I used one of "Plain Janes" Verve stamps for the sentiment on the front, this lovely quote from Elizabeth Barrett Browning. To me it means that the things you do today should improve life in the future for yourself or someone else. It reminds me of all the college coursework I had to take to become a teacher, and then the many additional graduate hours I took, books I read to become even a better reading teacher. It also reminds me of the many hours in my vegetable garden and meals I made from scratch in order to insure the future health of my children.

All of the papers I used to create this card came from my scrap drawers, so I'm not sure of their source, except for the CTMH Crystal Blue cardstock that I embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The sparkles, black and white baker's twine and button are also from CTMH. I tied the button with crochet thread which is so fun to use since it's a little thicker than ordinary thread.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Cards by Lady Anne Stamp Challenge #6 - anything goes
My Craft Spot Monday Challenge #92 - Strings and things (baker's twine)
Rogue Redhead Designs Challenge #21 - Sentiment Focus
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Viva La Verve March sketch week 2



 

Viva La Verve March 2013

I needed another Easter card that was more masculine, so I chose some Easter colored paper and this sketch from the Viva La Verve Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. I really liked the Clean and Simple design of this sketch to keep the focus on the image and sentiment.

I used the Spellbinder's Nestabilities Heart Circles cut with Sorbet cardstock and inked with Cocoa. I punched a 2" circle for the inside layer and stamped it with the Lord's Prayer using Sorbet ink. The cross and the sentiment are from a current Close To My Heart stamp set called "He Is Risen." The cross has a floral pattern in it but I stamped it with black ink on dark brown woodgrain dp,  so the two designs blend together. The papers and mocha opaques are also from Close To My Heart.

We see this sentiment on so many cards at this time of year. It's simple but more potent than we might think at first sight. I can only imagine going from the deep despondency Christ's family and followers must have had to the unbelievable ecstatic joy to know He arose as He'd proclaimed. But it means even more for those who believe in Him. It's the promise of resurrection for each believer after death. It means life doesn't end with death. Thanks be to God for such a marvelous gift!

May you share the joy of Resurrection Day with those around you everyday!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Crafty Creations #215 - Easter
Inky Impressions #103 - Easter or Spring
Sisterhood of Crafters - Easter or Spring
Viva La Verve March 2013 week 3 sketch
Word Art Wednesday #73 - Anything Goes (with Scripture or uplifting verse)
 

Perfect Sentiments Challenge #72 - Brides or Babies

This week our challenge at The Perfect Sentiments is to

make a card with a wedding theme or a baby theme, including a sentiment on the front.

Our sponsor is 2 Cute Ink and will provide 3 digi images to one lucky winner. Check out our Perfect Sentiments Challenge blog for more details and samples using their stamps.

One of our daughters is planning her wedding which will be in November, so my mind was definitely on the wedding theme when I made this card.  The sentiment is

To Love, Honor, & Cherish

 



 

I love using sketches and this one came from Sunday Sketch & Stamp.

 

I used a new Close To My Heart paper pack, "For Always," a heart from the matching complements stickease, their slate satin polka-dot ribbon, pearl opaques, Black ink and 2 stamp sets: "Bliss" for the couple and script behind them and "Our Wedding Day" (retired) for the sentiment. The decorative die cut is Spellbinder's Nestabilities "Fleur de Lis Squares."

 

Thank you for visiting. I hope you'll join our challenge so we can enjoy your creations!

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

My Grafico #148 - Anything Goes

Paper Minutes #262 - text as a design element

Pause, Dream, Enjoy #6 - Anything Goes

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #149 - sketch

That Craft Place - Wedding

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

 



 

Twist of Faith Challenge #30 - Make It Sparkle

This week at Twist of Faith our theme is:

 

MAKE IT SPARKLE!

Your creation should also include a scripture,

uplifting verse or positive words/quote

Our sponsor is Melonheadz. Our winner, will receive their choice of a bundle of images from the Melonheadz etsy store!

I was glad they had this masculine image since I have five grandsons. This image reminds me of my oldest grandson, so I chose a verse for him:

Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Here's a better view of the sparkle details.

My sparkle details are blue-green sparkles from Close To My Heart, glitter, silver glittery ribbon from Michaels. The top layer of the star is a silver metal star that was the same shape as the punched, glittered star. I used Prisma glitter that looks white in the jar and bluish green on my card. The darling prince was colored with Copics.

I used papers from my scrap drawers, this sketch from The Paper Players Challenge #138 and the colors from The Play Date Café Challenge #174.

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons #40 - One for the boys
Dilly Beans - Glitter
Eureka Stamps #32 - It's in the Words
Sparkle and Sprinkle March - Glitter
The Paper Players #138 - sketch above
The Play Date Café #174 - amethyst, emerald, peridot colors
 

Clearly Inspired Challenge #71 - Anything Goes

Today at Clearly Inspired Challenge #71 we can make ANYTHING, so I made a layout to put in my scrapbook about my childhood. I'm combining it with Patter's Hymn and Scripture Challenge #8 from 2012 about the hymn "Christ Arose." I had been wanting to journal about the special meaning of that hymn to me, especially when I first sang it in 3rd grade, but I didn't have photos to go with it. So I chose a digital verse and image from Clear Dollar Stamps to embellish or illustrate it and included an Easter photo from a different year.

I used the digital stamp "Jesus Paid It All" from Clear Dollar Stamps to add the verse and empty tomb embellishment. I used Photoshop to print the colored version of the tomb, reducing the opacity to 80% so that I could color over the colors with three of my neutral gray Copics.  I did that to soften the colors to coordinate better with the heritage look of the page.

I used the CDS stamp for Matthew 28:6 which also emphasizes the other half of Christ's sacrificial death, taking our place on the cross. Simply stated, he didn't remain in the tomb. He showed us that death for believers is not final. There is life after death. Patter has a great devotional on her blog (linked above) with many more verses you can use to understand the depth of this song.

Journaling in the pocket: In 1958 my dad was pastoring a small country church, Prairie Lee Baptist Church, near Lee's Summit, Missouri. I was in 3rd grade. I was always there when the doors were open, so when a few brave souls gathered for choir practice before Easter, they invited me to come up front to sing with them. It was the very first time I remember hearing the hymn but the music and words captured my heart and I fell in love with it.  That choir practice taught me about dynamics for the first time. The way the song was sad in the first part was softer and slower. When the verse talked about Christ's resurrection, it was happier, louder, and faster. When Easter Sunday came, they asked me to come on up and sing with them in front of the church. I was always shy, but since I loved the song, I enjoyed singing with them, even though it was in front of the small congregation. Little did I know that it would be the first of many future years of singing in choirs.

I used yellow gingham ribbon and K & Co floral/butterfly embellishments. The tag pocket is from Close To My Heart.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you with joy this Easter as we celebrate His death for our sins and His joyous resurrection.

I'm sharing this layout with the following challenges:
Hymn and Scripture Challenge #8 - Christ Arose.
Celebrate the Occasion #104 - Easter
Crafting for All Seasons #48 - Anything But a Card
Craft Us Crazy #39 - Anything But a Card
Digi Stamps for Joy #63 - Celebrating Easter
Word Art Wednesday #72 - Anything goes with scripture, uplifting verse

12" x 12" Scrapbook layout recipe:
Digital Image and Sentiment - CDS Jesus Paid It All colored
Copic Markers - N00, N02 neutral grays to color over image
Paper - Creative Imaginations, CTMH Sunny Yellow and Indian Corn Blue cardstock,
Accents - CTMH letter stickers, envelope (Décor Journaling Spots); K & Co flower and butterfly accents; yellow gingham ribbon from stash; page from old hymnal
Tools - Printer, Photoshop CS (to reduce opacity); Spellbinder's Fancy Tags 2; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dots"

Hymn and Scripture Challenge - Cleanse Me

Here is the next hymn I'm adding to my Hymn and Faith Journaling Album. This hymn that Patter chose for her Hymn and Scripture Challenge #5 is a beautiful prayer. On our own, we don't recognize every sin that creeps or even leaps into our lives. In order to be used by God, we need daily cleansing. I've had family and friends who are often plagued by troubling thoughts, anger, or fear. I've shared the truths that I learned myself about how God's word is like water that washes away troubling thoughts in addition to guiding us in the right direction and pointing out sin in our lives.

I like the verse I chose from 2 Corinthians that I printed from Clear Dollar Stamp's digi "Value Verses 2." We cast down those imaginations and bring every one of our thoughts into captivity and obedience to Christ. That's not an easy thing to do when you're facing trials in life or the "he said, she said" situations. Sometimes those negative thoughts race and jump around in your mind not letting you calm down. In my most troubling times in life I found great consolation in Psalm 34 and have encouraged others to read it many times. For many years I kept up a routine of reading 5 Psalms and one Proverb each night before bed. So many truths are packed into those books that refer to our relationship to God and how he helps us (Psalms) and how to respond to others (Proverbs).

I'm also sharing this layout with Word Art Wednesday this week.
 

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #1 - Lift High the Cross

Yesterday I found the box where I had stored my 9" x 9" scrapbook and papers that fit it. I had started them last year with Patter's Hymn and Scripture challenge until life became unorganized and I lost track of the scrapbook. I kept meaning to start again when things settled down, so I was ready to make a fresh start and play catch-up and keep up.

As a grandma, I can tell that my thoughts aren't as sharp as they used to be. I want to record the importance of the Lord in my life and the truths I absorbed from the hymns I've always loved singing. I know it will be meaningful for my kids and grandkids someday. (A few of my scrapbooking friends enjoy reading what I've put on these pages as well.)

I don't believe I had ever sung or heard this hymn, "Lift High the Cross," until I heard it from the link on Patter's blog. It's very inspiring and reminded me of a chorus we used to sing in Christian school, so I included that on my layout. Please check out Patter's blog post for this hymn to hear it and to see the wonderful verses she shared that relate to this hymn.

With the Easter season approaching, many people will be thinking more about Christ's crucifixion. I always have a tinge of sadness thinking about Christ taking such a horrendous punishment for my own sins. This song encourages us to elevate what took place on the cross to the level that others see His great love in that act of sacrifice. Another hymn uses the phrase "Let others see Jesus in you." I used to tell my young students that what you do and what you say should be what Jesus would do or say. That's one way to let others see Jesus. We are also to proclaim His gift of salvation to the world "till all the world adore His sacred name."

I always enjoy the time in the church service in our small town church when people can share blessings. Sharing what Christ has done, how God has blessed us is another way of lifting him up in praise.

I included the verse from John 12:32 that Jesus spoke, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." We do the proclaiming and He will be the one who draws or pulls all men unto himself. I think it's like the verse that says His words will not return unto him void. We do the sowing and He will give the increase.

I'm also sharing this layout with Word Art Wednesday Challenge #72. They have a great verse this week about being crucified with Christ (that I'll use on another layout!!)

Mojo Monday 285

This will be a short post. Our internet connection keeps going off every five to ten minutes, making it difficult to do anything. I used the Mojo Monday sketch for this week and the Word Art Wednesday that I tried to upload yesterday from last week's challenge. They seemed to work well together.

Perfect Sentiment Challenge #71 - Fairies or Butterflies

My husband has been a great photographer since high school. Before we married, he had a fascination with photographing butterflies. I helped him plant a butterfly garden which included purple coneflowers. Later I added asters to attract the migrating monarch butterflies in September. These details helped inspire the card I made today for The Perfect Sentiment Challenge.

CREATE A CARD FOR THE OCCASION OF YOUR CHOICE USING EITHER A FAIRY OR BUTTERFLY IN YOUR DESIGN. DON'T FORGET YOUR SENTIMENT ON THE FRONT.

     

Our sponsor is PATTIE'S CREATIONS/CRAFTY CITY. One lucky winner will receive a $5 GIFT VOUCHER TO CRAFTY CITY(US ONLY)/3 FREE DIGIS FROM PATTIE'S CREATIONS.

I made this card for my pastor's wife who has been sick in the hospital. My image, "Thinking of You," is from Pattie's Creations. I printed it twice. I used the second image to cut out the closest butterfly wing and some of the petals to pop dot on the image. I colored all of it with Copic markers. The center of the flower had little dots, so I dotted the darker earthtone marker on the surface and added dark brown and black bitty pearls on some of the dots in the design. I mounted it on a black mat cut with Spellbinder's Nestabilities Lattice Rectangles. The background dp was also embossed, but it's nearly completely covered, so it doesn't show. The white ribbon is a soft satin, my favorite.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
ABC Challenge #21 - flowers
Craft Your Passion #153 - ribbons or lace
Creative Creations Challenge #6- things that start with "B" (butterfly)
Flutter By Wednesdays #231 - any winged creature
Pause Dream Enjoy - Anything goes


 

Twist of Faith Easter Card

My family always celebrated Easter with dying and decorating eggs and plenty of chocolate in the Easter basket on Sunday morning. We wore new dresses my grandma had made (with scratchy petticoats) and little white gloves, white shoes, and hats. But the real highlight was going to church. I always loved singing hymns about Christ's resurrection. I was even allowed to sing with the choir one Easter when my dad pastored a small country church. I still remember that we sang "Low in the Grave He Lay" when I was only eight, singing with the grownups! After church our extended family would get together for a large dinner and lots of hugs, laughing, and photos.

This week at Twist of Faith our challenge is:

EASTER

Your creation should also include a scripture,

uplifting verse or positive words/quote

 

We are excited to welcome 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

 

I wanted my card to represent the stained glass windows at church and the white Easter lilies that line the front of the church. I wanted to include the first verse I remember memorizing that represents the gift of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, eternal life.

 

I chose to use their digi stamp called "Lily" with an "Inspired Hearts" Cricut die cut of a cross in a "stained glass" window. The digi was just one lily, but I flipped it horizontally in Photoshop to print it the second time. Both lilies were colored with Copics and fussy cut.

 

 

May your Easter be blessed with the joy of knowing Christ's gift of salvation. May you make happy memories of celebrating that gift with friends and family.

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge #71 - Easter or Spring

Avadares Challenge #9 - Easter or Spring

Digi Haven - Easter

Hiding in My Craft Room #89 - Use 3 designer papers ( 2 Basic Grey for the window, blue is DaisyD's)

Little Red Wagon #176 - Windows (mine is a stained glass window)

My Sheri Crafts #106 - Easter

The Paper Shelter Challenge #103 - Easter

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #11 - Ribbons and Diecuts

Polka Doodles Week #11 - Easter

Simply Create Too #33 - Easter

 

 

 

 

 

Everybody Is a Genius - Digi Release Day Card

My husband and I both love stories about Einstein. My hubby is a scientist and I'm a retired educator, so this quote of his is so true about Einstein himself and so many children I've known. I plan to give this card to another educator who will also appreciate the depth of this sentiment. 

This Clear Dollar Stamps digi set comes with both colored and outline fish. I chose to color my own with Copics and to place him looking at the sentiment in a sea of other bluish tinted fish. It's the perfect card for my new blue epoxy bubbles and some very old, very wide blue spotted organdy ribbon.

This set has some great images for masculine cards. Next week I'll post another example.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday #260 - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #12 - Add a Sentiment
Fab 'n' Funky #162 - Add a Sentiment
Inky Impressions #101 - Use BLUE (for colon cancer awareness)




6.5" x 5" Card Recipe:
CDS digi - Everyone Is A Genius
Alcohol ink markers - Copics: Y17 Golden Yellow, YR68 Orange, YR61 Yellowish Skin Pink, 0 Blender; CTMH Honey
Paper - Graphic 45 "Tropical Travelogue," white and black cardstock
Accents - Close To My Heart Blue/Green Epoxy Bubbles, Michaels wide blue dotted organdy ribbon
Tools - printer

 

March Digi Release Day at Clear Dollar Stamps

March is the time to make Easter cards this year since we'll celebrate at the end of this month. Here are two cards I made using the new Clear Dollar Stamps digi set called "Jesus Paid It All." I especially love making Easter cards that celebrate Christ's death for our sins and His resurrection with its promise of eternal life.

This set has so many possibilities for even more cards. The images come in outline or colored form. I used the colored images except for the black crosses that were simply printed on blue cardstock.

Images - CDS Color digis "Jesus Paid It All"
Paper - CDS digi paper "Jesus Paid It All;" Fancy Pants Designs "It's the Little Things" (yellow label mat); Graphic45 "Fashionista;" CTMH Outdoor Denim and Colonial White cardstock, medium blue and white cardstock for printing
Ink - CTMH "Saddle" and Outdoor Denim
Accents - Making Memories ribbon, CTMH Mocha Pearls
Tools - Spellbinder's Nestabilities Large Labels and Fleur de Lis Rectangles
Technique - The daffodils were printed twice. I cut the middle stamen portions out and pop dotted them onto the main image. The petals were bent up for more dimension. The cross image had more Outdoor Denim ink stippled and sponged.

I'm sharing these cards with the following challenges:
Bearly Mine #77 - Easter
Use It Tuesdays #52 - Diecuts, punches, cut-outs and hoarded supplies (MM ribbon on 1st card stashed for 6 years
Digi Makeover Challenge - Easter or Spring
D.L.ART Thankful Thursday #105 - Easter
The Paper Shelter #103 - Easter
Penney's Paper Crafty Challenge #11 - ribbons and diecuts.
Stampavie and More #189 - Easter

Here's the second card. I used the March Viva La Verve sketch for week 1.

I had a really old hymnal with the hymn "Jesus Paid It All" that I scanned, printed, and used as paper behind my image. Two of the other papers came from the digital set, but were reduced in size to 4" x 6." I also colored parts of the colored image to extend it to the edge of my punched circle. I used Copics, but forgot to write which ones I used (oops!).

You can find additional ideas for this set on the Clearly iStamp blog. Thank you for visiting and may you have a blessed Easter season.

Image and sentiment - CDS Jesus Paid It All - colored
Ink - CTMH Saddle
Paper - CDS designer paper from Jesus Paid It All, Hymn from old hymnal, CTMH retired petal dp, white and black cs
Accents - Reflections roses, yellow organdy from stash
Tools - printer, scanner (for hymn), Spellbinder's Nestabilities "Lacey Circles;" 3" circle punch
Technique - I printed the image twice and cut out the larger stones on the left. They were pop dotted for extra dimension

 

Monster Mash Birthday Card

I took my three oldest grandsons to the library. The one in first grade chose books from the series of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He's quite an artist, so I showed him where to find "How to Draw" books. As soon as we got home, he went straight to the kitchen table and started drawing animals from that book. His mom said later that he liked the "Wimpy Kid" books because he could draw the illustrations. His birthday is coming up so I've made him a card that he'll probably try to draw. Laurie Wilson made these cute monsters for Clear Dollar Stamps.

I thought it would be fun to use the bright color palette from the Crazy Amigo Challenge. I also used this sketch from the Simon Says Stamp Challenge this week where we were given the choice of two sketches:

 

 

I used a textured card base that was embossed with squares, so I embossed the yellow panel with Cuttlebug's "Traffic Jam" embossing folder. The orange and red designer papers are some that came with the Monster Mash digital stamp set, although I changed the colors using Photoshop. Each of the images and the sentiment were all individual stamps that I copied and pasted into a new image. I also enlarged the sentiment while keeping the dpi at 300. That way it was bigger when I pasted it.

I had been inspired by Digital Tuesday and Catered Crop to make a frame for my monsters. I cut the black cardstock the same size as my image, then cut out the center 1/4th" from each edge. I pop dotted it over the image panel for more dimension and added the row of buttons in the blank area. Tying one with black crochet thread was the final, simple touch for a masculine card.

Can You Digi It #31 - Male Birthdays
Catered Crop - Framed
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Orange, Red, Yellow, Black, and White
Digital Tuesday Challenge #201 - Frame It
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - For the Boys
Simon Says Stamp: sketch
Whoopsi Daisy - Buttons or Bows

5.5" Square Birthday Card Recipe:
Images and Sentiment - Clear Dollar Stamps "Monster Mash" digi
Papers - CDS digi papers from Monster Mash, CTMH Sunkiss Yellow, Black and white cardstock, embossed card base
Accents - CTMH and My Mind's Eye buttons; black crochet thread
Tools - printer, Adobe Photoshop CS, Cuttlebug "Traffic Jam" embossing folder
 

PSC#70 - Easter Bling

This week at The Perfect Sentiments Challenge we are creating Easter Cards with Bling, and of course, a sentiment on the front.  Our Sponsor is Stitchy Bear

 who will give one lucky winner a $10 gift voucher.

 

We have one daughter and a granddaughter who are both hearing impared (and both blonde), so I chose one of their images who is signing the word LOVE in ASL. All three of our daughter's children learned to sign before they could talk. This Easter card was made for them.

 



 

I added glitter ribbon and sparkles for the bling. I even put bitty sparkles on the hair band and her fingernails.

 

The inside says: " May you feel the love Jesus gave when He conquered death for you and me."

I hope you'll join our challenge at The Perfect Sentiments. I can't wait to see your art!

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Avadares #9 - Easter or Spring

Bearly Mine #77 - Easter

The Crafty Blogger's Network #9 - Spring or Pastel

Digi Makeover Challenge #79 - Easter/Spring

Lexi's Creations #85 - Easter

 

 

 

 



Twist of Faith #28 - Irish Blessings

This week at Twist of Faith, the theme is very appropriate for March:

 

  IRISH BLESSINGS

Be Green, Be Irish, Be Blessed. Creations should combine Irish with a Blessing (sentiment/quote/verse)

Our sponsor is Digi Darla's who will provide one lucky winner 5 images of their choice.

Sponsor Blog: http://digidarla.com/

Sponsor Shop: http://www.digidarladesigns.com/

 

I used the Digi Darla image called Annie Angel 3 for my card because of the sunshine and the sentiment I planned to use. In fact, if you'd like to use this sentiment, I have it here as a jpg that you can save and use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock #21 - St. Patrick's Day

Digi Haven - Green

Gingerloft - the color green

Glitter and Sparkle #23 - St. Pat's Day/green 

Great Impressions - Going Green

Simply Create Too #32 - St. Patrick's Day/ mostly green

The Pink Elephant Monday Card Challenge #190 - Happy St. Patrick's Day/green

 

5.5" x 4.25" St. Patrick's Day Card Recipe:

Paper - Close To My Heart "Olivia", Colonial White, New England Ivy, and Goldrush cardstock; Basic Grey "Lemonade" (yellow)

Digi Stamp - Digi Darla's Annie Angel 3

Markers - Copic E00, E11, Y11, Y13, Y17, G20, YG03; CTMH alcohol markers: Autumn Terracotta and Autumn Terracotta Light, Sweet Leaf, Olive Light, Metallic Gold

Accents - gold sparkles from stash

Tools - Spellbinder's decorative label die; printer; Microsoft Word and Photoshop

 

 

Mojo Monday 283 Sympathy

One of my husband's uncles died and the funeral will be this week. Here's my first card for an aunt and uncle. I thought the Mojo Monday sketch was perfect, although I'm really late getting a chance to make this for the challenge #283.

The papers and stamp are from Close To My Heart. I embossed it with Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade.

ODBD Shining the Light Challenge #145 Sketch

The latest challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs was to use this sketch for a card:

 

This sketch gave me a chance to use one of their stamps I hadn't used yet, Sweet William - Small. The first year I was married I planted some Sweet Williams in my garden because that's my husband's name. They self-seeded and came up volunteer for several years. I needed a birthday card this week, so I used the sentiment from their set called Birthday Blessings.

 

I also tried to come close to the colors suggested this week by The Paper Players:

 

 

 

 

I stamped the flower image with Hollyhock ink, then I colored it with all of the Copic markers listed below. The last detail I added after cutting it out was to shade with the N6 dark gray marker along the edge and add a few broken lines for the petal borders and the center. Last, I added some pearl opaques in the center. The green scalloped circle was cut with a Spellbinder's Nestabilities Scalloped circle die and inked along the edges with CTMH Sweet Leaf chalk ink. The long banner shape was from Basic Grey's Sweet Threads, I believe.

 

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:



CAS on Sunday #3-  Happy Birthday
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #145 - sketch
Robyn's Fetish #150 - Birthday Cards 
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #206 - To Die for plus stamping
The Paper Players #136 - color challenge

6.5" x 5" Birthday Card Recipe:
Paper - Basic Grey "Sweet Threads;" CTMH cardstock
Stamps - ODBD "Sweet William," "Birthday Blessings"
Ink - CTMH Hollyhock and Black; Sweet Leaf chalk ink
Alcohol Ink Markers - Copics R20 Blush, R35 Coral, N6gray; CTMH Cotton Candy Light
Accents - retired CTMH Baby Pink gingham ribbon, licorice opaques
Tools - Cuttlebug 5" x 7" embossing folder
 

Perfect Sentiments Challenge #69 - Going Green

Finally it's March! Spring is nearly here along with many of us claiming Irish roots. Our challenge this week at The Perfect Sentiments Challenge is a color challenge perfect for spring or the Irish:

Going Green with a touch of Gray

CREATE A CARD WITH A SENTIMENT FOR THE OCCASION OF YOUR CHOICE USING THE COLOR STORY IN THE PHOTO ALBUM FOR THIS CHALLENGE.

Our sponsor is Robyn's Fetish who is providing 5 digis for one lucky winner!

I used their digi called "Lucky Leprechaun."

I typed the sentiment on the card front after seeing some great Irish Blessings on the net. Here's a link for some Irish Blessings - http://tacomaweekly.tripod.com/Irish-Quotations.html

I embossed the darker green with some four-petaled flowers reminiscent of shamrocks. I stamped small shamrocks on the sentiment banner and larger ones on the light green patterned cardstock that I placed with the flowers. The green flowers had sparkly brown centers that I covered with green sparkles. The white flower is from a large consultant set that I've had since 2009. I surrounded the green brad with darker green bitty sparkles. The photo doesn't show that I also colored the coins in the gray pot with a metallic gold marker.



Inside the card I included an Irish blessing that's a Tuesday freebie at Michelle Perkett Studio.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Celebrate the Occasion #102 - Luck of the Irish - St. Patrick's Day projects
Clear It Out - St. Patrick's Day theme and use up green supplies from stash (green checked ribbon from 2005 and green brads from 2009)
Great Impressions - the color green
Hiding in My Craft Room #87 - Greens
Oldie But Goodie - Feeling Floral - white flower and green brad from 2009
Scrappy Frogs - Green/St. Patrick's Day
Sweet Stamps #107 - Green
Twisted Tuesday #45 - Spring plus Green

6.5" x 5" St. Patrick's Day Card Recipe:
Paper - Graphic 45 "Tropical Travelogue;" Close To My Heart Topiary, Slate, and White Daisy cardstock
Image - Robyn's Fetish "Lucky Leprechaun"
Stamps and Ink - CTMH In the Month of March and Topiary Ink
Alcohol Ink Markers - CTMH (mixed Buttercup and Sweet Leaf for the light green), Topiary, Copics- E00, N0, N2, N4
Accents - CTMH green sparkles, gold metallic pen and Just Blooms (white colored Big Pinks retired); gingham ribbon from old stash, Martha Stewart flowers (green)
Tools - Spellbinder's Nestabilities "Lattice Rectangles," and "Scalloped Rectangles;"fiskars embossing plate,





 

Twist of Faith #27 - Ribbons and Bows

Our challenge this week at Twist of Faith is to make a card with:

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

Our sponsor is Eureka Stamps. Check our Twist of Faith blog for more prize details.

I chose a verse about enjoying the wondrous works of God and an image of "butterfly and bluebonnets" from Eureka Stamps because I love both.  The verse from Job 37:14 comes from Clear Dollar Stamps' set called "Sunshine and Smiles:"

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:14

 

 

I used this sketch from Scrapper's Delights Sketch Challenge:

My first focus in choosing paper and ribbons was to use the color BLUE. I added the  Salmon color for contrast and to go with the butterfly. I colored the image with Close To My Heart alcohol ink markers and Copics that I've listed below.

  

I tried three different things with ribbons on this card. First, I substituted 3 strips of ribbon for the three strips of paper in the design. I had wanted to use that wide organdy with satin strips in it for a long time, but could never decide how to use such a wide ribbon to its advantage. Because it was light blue, I chose a light blue thinner organdy to tie with two bows around the digi image. Third, I tied thin satin ribbons through big button holes where the sketch had a place for embellishments, using buttons that coordinated with colors in the wide ribbon or image.

Before starting this card I had seen the challenge to frame something on your card suggested by Catered Crop. I tried something else different. I wanted to use my decorative square Spellbinder's Nestabilities die. I traced around the outside of the die and cut out the shape knowing that it would be just a little bigger than the diecut, thus framing the main image. I've been so spoiled by Cricut carts and Nesties that I forgot I could use scissors to cut a mat that I've traced. Duh!

Please visit the rest of our team at Twist of Faith to see what they've done with ribbon and encouraging verses.  As springtime in the northern hemisphere or autumn in the southern arrives, I hope you'll be in awe of the marvelous beauty of God's creations around you.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge #69 - Button It
Catered Crop - Frame It (with a frame or mat)
Ladybug Crafts March Challenge - the color BLUE
Natalie and Amy's Challenge #7 - die cuts
Scrapper's Delights Challenge - sketch
The Ribbon Girl March Challenge - add ribbon or twine

Markers used: Close To My Heart: Sky, Sky Light, Outdoor Denim Light, Olive; Copics: B24 Sky, YG63 Pea Green, YR68 Orange