Boutique Encouragement Card

I must apologize for being MIA for two months. I kept getting sick with autoimmune problems and viruses in October. By the 30th I came down with shingles, but didn't know what the severe pain was until I broke out with the rash five days later. It was much easier and less painful giving birth to children! Four weeks of pain wasn't all. It left me with other neurological problems requiring medication that makes me lethargic and tired all day.

I had never thought anything would keep me from creating and blogging, but found out I was wrong. So now with a return of some of my mojo I hope to return, at least somewhat, to my norm. I must admit that two months ignoring my usual craft room activities made it difficult to find some things. I think organizing will be at the top of my list of New Year's resolutions.

I have a lot of unused papers from the last quarter. Here's a card using Word Art Wednesday's newest scripture art, Atlantic Hearts latest sketch, and the soft colors of the soon to retire CTMH Boutique papers, Puffy Stickers, and Mink twine.

It's nearly time for the Blog Hop featuring the January Stamp of the Month! I hope you'll join us late tomorrow evening or Wednesday. You'll also see new papers available in the new catalog! 

Thank you for visiting! Have a Happy New Year!

365 Promises of God - Promise #365:
Hold fast to the hope you confess, for I am faithful to keep My promises.Hebrews 10:23 (WEB)
let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering;
for he who promised is faithful

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Thanks & Giving

Welcome to our blog hop featuring this month's stamp of the month, Thanks & Giving.
If you're following the bog hop path, you just came from Melinda's blog. To see the entire list of participants, visit Melinda Everitt's blog post.

I made a card by gold embossing  two of the sentiments and the floral bough on papers from the Grateful Heart pack. All of the edges of the papers were scissor distressed. The stitched scallop Pomegranate circle was cut using the Fancy Tags Thin Cuts.

Here's a close-up of the embossing. I embellished it with the gold flecked gems and white and gold skinny ribbon:

You can purchase this stamp set from your CTMH consultant or here on my website for $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase or for $18.95 only during the month of October. 

Thank you for visiting! Now you're ready to see the creation on Katy Taylor's blog.  

Give Thanks

October has always been one of my favorite months. The days are usually sunny but the temperatures are much more mild than they were in the summer. Perhaps the colors of autumn are another one of the attractions. It is also a time of reflection and giving thanks for the many blessings God has provided.

Here's a scripture card I made using a Verve scripture stamp that is no longer available. It fit perfectly with the papers and other stamps from the You Got This card kit.

I inked the sunflower with Saffron and lightly rolled the edges with Autumn Terracotta ink. The heart was stamped with Pomegranate and the sentiment with Sapphire.

Please visit again tomorrow to see links to our blog hop and the favorite card I've made with the Grateful Heart papers and the new stamp of the month, Thanks & Giving.

Thank you for visiting! I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks #422 - Happy Fall Y'All
Allsorts Challenge #487 - Autumn glory
Crafty Friends Challenge #93 - Autumn colors
Crazy 4 Challenges #454 - anything fall
D.L.Art October Linky Challenge - Anything Goes
Heartful Stamping Challenge - anything goes with stamping
Moving Along with the Times #81 - Autumn/Fall

365 Promises of God - Promise #274: I am the everlasting God.Psalm 90:2 (WEB)
Before the mountains were born,
    before you had formed the earth and the world,even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

Autumn Birthday Wishes

A couple of my friends and I have October birthdays. I remember us talking when we were young wondering if we were so similar because of our close birthdates and the fact that we were the oldest  children in our families. Whatever the reason, all three of us are getting older in a couple of weeks.  So here's a fall card for one autumn birthday.  I was inspired by the Heart 2 Heart challenge to use banners. Mine are stamped, trimmed then stitched at the top.

Thank you for visiting! May you be blessed!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #127 - Fall festival of colors
Heart 2 Heart Challenge - banners
Make My Monday Challenge #80 - fall/autumn colors

Last night as I read the Bible I came to a favorite verse that I need every day, especially as I age:

Isaiah 40:31 (WEB)
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up
with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

365 Promises of God - Promise #264: If you wait for Me, I will renew your strength.

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Just Treats

Welcome to our blog hop featuring the CTMH stamp of the month! If you just came from Melinda Everitt's blog, you're on the right path. You can find a complete list of participants at Melinda's blog hop list here.

I thought this stamp set is perfect for the many Christmas tags I make each year. Here are two of the ones I made this week. I cut both tags using the new Thin Cuts-Fancy Tags. I thought white embossing would look nice for both. The first uses all of the tiny Christmas images to make a stamped background. The word "JOY" was masked using a sticky note. (First I stamped the entire image, then I cut out the word "JOY" and stamped again on my white cardstock letting all the other words match up again on the sticky note so that only "JOY" is stamped on the white cardstock.)

The second tag includes a snowflake using the new Thin Cuts-Winter Flurries with a new Red Pearl in the center. Both tags are made using paper from the new 'Tis the Season paper pack and Candy Apple Striped Ribbon, and White and Gold Skinny Ribbon.

You can purchase this stamp only in the month of September for the full price of $18.95 or for $5 with a $50 purchase from your consultant or here on my website.
Thank you for visiting! Now you are ready to move on to see what Alyson Mayo has created for you!

Asian Card

My daughter-in-law decorated one of her homes with Asian art and furnishings. When I saw the challenge at Make My Monday, I  knew I needed to make a card for her. I used to make cards for a Christian school that at one time had many Asian exchange students, so I still have a lot of Asian papers.

The Sisterhood of Crafters challenged us to use a printed page background so I used book paper from a book from the University of Peking. Then I embossed an old Basic Grey panel with Chinese lanterns and added a lovely girl from Graphic 45's Bird Song papers. I sponged Almond ink on the embossed lanterns then "painted" them with the clear CTMH shimmer brush, but the shine isn't showing. Although you can see the gold foil paper on which the image is matted.

The inside was stamped with three old CTMH that words I wish for my daughter-in-law: Peace, Love, Health, and plenty of room for a short note of love and kindness. She has a serious muscle disease and many other health issues so I'll write what I am praying for her.

Thank you for visiting! May you be blessed with peace, love, and health, too!
Matthew 18:19 (WEB): 
Again, assuredly I tell you, 
that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything 
that they will ask, it will be done for them 
by my Father who is in heaven.
365 Promises (of God): Promise #230: If two of you agree in prayer, I will do whatever you ask. 

Here's to You - the other four cards

In yesterday's blog hop I mentioned I would post the other four cards. The three cards yesterday were unique because I cut out windows through each layer of paper and heat embossed the sentiment on the bottom layer. The four cards today are mostly like the workshop directions, with a little embossing and more silver glitter cardstock embellishments from the same Cricut cartridge, Artistry.

Cards #1 and #2:
My sewing machine was handy so I sewed the vellum heart onto the glacier one. I silver embossed the sentiment and added an additional glitter cardstock Cricut cut that went with the workshop.

(Card #3 was in yesterday's post.) Card #4, I switched the sentiment to one I need more often, silver embossed it. added the Cricut cut vine that I enlarged before cutting, and added the butterfly that was the base of the Sorbet butterfly that I didn't include on yesterday's card:

Card #5 :
I added a Pacifica mat for the sentiment shape and replaced the thin strip of glitter cardstock with the leafy branch that was originally meant to go with card #3 that I displayed yesterday.

Once again, here is my cut file for the Here's to You workshop kit with the extra changes I made on all seven cards:

https://design.cricut.com/#/design/103329890

This workshop kit is only available in the month of August. You can purchase it through your CTMH consultant or here on my website.  All of the original workshop directions are on the link on that page.

Thanks for visiting!

Ephesians 3:12 (WEB)
in whom we have boldness and access 
in confidence through our faith in him

365 Promises of God - Promise #219: Through faith in Christ, you can boldly approach Me with confidence.

CTMH Here's to You Blog Hop

Welcome to our blog hop featuring the August Here's To You  kit with four stamp sets and coordinating papers, cards, and pearls. Each participant is sharing additional ways to use this kit.  If you've just come from Gina Brandstetter, you're on the right path. To see the entire list of participants, visit Melinda Everitt's page here.

I really like the four stamp sets that have large sentiments. The kit includes the cut file link for those who use Cricut Design Space. It uses the Artistry cartridge. I made the seven cards, but chose to remake three of them instead of making the layout. I used additional Cricut cuts using the cardstock that was included. I cut out windows through more than one layer that I pop dotted, with the sentiment silver or gold embossed on the bottom layer. I also cut a few flowers and butterflies from the Artistry cartridge.

Here's my replacement for Card #3. I added an extra white frame plus flowers:

For Card #6 I used three scraps of Sweet Leaf, Canary, and Sorbet cardstock to cut embellishments:

Card #7 has embossed vellum and a lot of bling.

Tomorrow I'll post what I did with the other four cards by making minor changes with the embellishments cut from the silver glitter paper.  Here is my Design Space cut file with pieces for my cards plus the others from the CTMH workshop:  https://design.cricut.com/#/design/103329890

This kit is only available in the month of August. You can purchase the stamp sets individually or the entire workshop kit (with or without the embossing folder) from your CTMH consultant or here on my website.

Thank you for visiting! Now you're ready to see what Haley Dyer has to inspire you!

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - For the Love of Crafting

Welcome to our blog hop featuring the August Stamp of the Month. If you just came from  
 Darlys Recker's blog.  To see the entire list of participants, visit Melinda Everitt's blog.  

This is a great stamp set for all of us crafters.  I thought it would be great to use when I scrapbook photos of my crafty friends at our workshops and for cards to give them. Here's one example I made using the typewriter and one of the one of the sentiments stamped to look like it was typed.

I lightly repeatedly stamped the sentiment "Craftiness is Happiness" with Almond ink on the Kraft tag as well as inside. You can barely see it here:

You can purchase this stamp set only during August for $17.95 or for $5.00 with an order of $50.00 from your consultant or here if you don't have a consultant. 

Thank you for visiting! Now you're ready to see what  Lauren Moore has created for you!

5.5" x 4.25" Card Recipe (all supplies are Close To My Heart):
Paper - Enchantment Fundamentals; Kraft, Black, White Daisy cardstock
Stamp - For the Love of Crafting
Ink - Ruby, Black, Almond
Tools - Stitched Heart die, Thin 3-D Foam Dots
Embellishments - White and Gold Twine, Gold Arrow Clips, Fresh Air (Wood) Shapes (heart)

Christmas Card with Luke 2 and Interactive Vellum

I had one more Cottage Cutz nativity die cut so I designed a background for a Christmas card quoting Luke 2. I went to Bible Gateway, chose the version I wanted and entered Luke 2 for the search. I used Microsoft Word to make a 5" x 7" document with narrow margins. Then I copied and pasted the portion of the passage I wanted, and played with font and size until it fit the area. I chose Alignment that was even on both sides, printed on white cardstock, then trimmed all excess off the four sides. I lightly sponged some ink on the sides to "age" the paper.

I glued the nativity die cut on a piece of vellum that had gold foil dots, which to me were like stars.  I wanted the text to be readable so I scored and folded the top of the vellum panel and glued it behind the top of the text. I tied burlap string around the bottom of the panel to tuck in the vellum.

I love making Christmas cards that express the joy of the first Christmas! Thank you for visiting! May you be blessed as you create cards for your friends and loved ones!

Come back tonight or in the morning and follow the links on my next post for a blog hop with about 30 of us showing ideas using the stamp set, "For the Love of Crafting!"

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - P, Q, R - I used Q for Quotes
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' July challenge - anything Christmas
Cut It Up Challenge #153 - Christmas in July
Die Cuttin' Divas #380 - anything goes with die cut
Dream Valley Challenge #183 - Christmas in July
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - make your own background
The Holly and the Ivy Christmas Challenge #33 - anything Christmas
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #346 - 347 - anything goes

Psalm 19:1 (WEB)
The heavens declare the glory of God. 

The expanse shows his handiwork.

365 Promises of God - Promise #213:The heavens declare My glory and reveal My handiwork.

Merry & Bright Snowy Woods

Have you ever walked through the deep woods of tall trees and heard them creak in the wind? It's erie and awesome.  I've had some of my best memories made during hikes in forests or woods. That's what my card today reminds me of. My brother's house is in the woods. A few years ago he took me on a four-wheel ride along the trails he made. He sees a lot of deer and other wildlife on his land so I send him a Christmas card with deer each year. I thought the color challenge at Color Throwdown would be the perfect combination for a woodsy Christmas card for him.

I cut the birch tree background and red birds with Cricut Artfully Sent and removed two of the trees to make room for the sentiment and snowflakes.  The evergreen tree is from Flower Market cartridge and the deer is from You Are Here.  The larger space between the trees was just the right size for the retired CTMH snowflake background stamp. I used Mink pigment ink and clear embossing powder to add a little sparkle.

The retired CTMH Falling for You green patterned paper had small lighter circles. I added a dot of Nuvo Crystal drops in each one hoping it would look a little icy.  The deer and birch tree background were attached to the card with Thin 3-D Foam Dots and the evergreen tree was a little higher since it was in the front so I attached it with regular foam dots.

Thank you for visiting! May you be blessed as you create cards to bless someone else.

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #208 - Christmas in July

Christmas Crafts All Year Round - add a tree

Color Throwdown Challenge #503 - Red, Green, Gray

Crafters Castle Challenge #7 - anything goes with option of Christmas in July

Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #379 - Christmas in July

Dragonfly Journeys #123 - Christmas in July

Fab 'n' Funky Challlenge #404 - Christmas in July

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Christmas in July

Sweet Stampers Challenge #22 - Christmas in July

The Merry Christmas Challenge - anything goes Christmas

Psalm 86:7 (WEB) In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

365 Promises of God - Promise #207: When problems arise, call to Me and I will answer you.

Non-Traditional Colors Manger Scene

The challenge at International Art and Soul got me thinking about my favorite Christmas tradition. I try to  to remind my grandchildren of the true meaning of Christmas, that God sent His promised Son, born of a virgin, to live among men and to die for their sins. The story is both humble and holy. I always set out a manger scene when my kids were little and now they do the same for their kids.

 I had seen the challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown to make a non-traditional card. I don't usually think of cocoa, purple, orange, pink, and gold to represent the night Christ was born, but scraps I had out on my table seemed to work well together with a Cottage Cutz manger scene die. The purple Pansy paper from Make Waves with white dots reminded me of a starry sky. I thought the Tangerine and Blossom dots could be a stream of light from the star that shone so brightly that night.

The die actually had the star attached to the manger, but I trimmed off the Cocoa star and cut just that edge of the die with Gold glitter paper and placed it high in the sky.  I used scrap paper to try different patterns of light until I found one I liked and traced it onto the Tangerine and Blossom dotted paper. I started to make it big enough to hold the sentiment, but in the end decided the sentiment looked better outside the spotlight. The gold edges are made from Gold Shimmer Trim.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you will also make cards that spread the joyful message of the true meaning of Christmas!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges;

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Non-traditional Christmas Card
Aud Sentiments Challenge #208 - Christmas in July + a sentiment
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' July Challenge - anything goes Christmas
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #477 - Christmas
Crafter's Castle Challenge #7 - anything goes  option/Christmas in July
Crafty Catz Challenge #426 - anything goes with Dies and Punches
Crafty Galz Corner #170 - Christmas in July
Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #123 - Christmas in July
International Art and Soul Challenge #38 - Christmas Traditions
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use a die or punch

Happy Day Pineapple Card

The good thing about having to stay off your feet to let them heal is that you can sit in the craftroom and create more. I decided to take a break from Christmas cards to make several summer cards, especially from the retired CTMH Calypso papier pack. My son and his family are going to a Florida beach on vacation next month. Here's one card I'll give to them because they talked about how much pineapple was served in their buffet meals.

This card required no stamping, just Cricut cuts and a sticker sentiment., perfect for the  Unstampabelles challenge, which also asked us to make a fancy border or frame. I put two Cricut cut frames together to make this one. I was also inspired to use pineapple patterned paper and Cricut cut when I saw the challenge at City Crafter for Pineapples:

The kraft frame had a solid center and lighter mat on top so I selected and ungrouped the two layers then sliced so the smaller mat shape became a cutout. Then I was able to add the leafy frame under it. I cut the pineapple with a yellow and a green base so I could make the leaves a different color. I inked the yellow leaf outline with Sweet Leaf. I cut up and stacked the layers with the appropriate colors.

Thank you for visiting! May you be blessed as you create cards to bless others!

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #76 - Food or Drink
City Crafter Challenge #421 - Pineapples
Crafty Friends Challenge #88 - Food or Drink
Two Sisters on the Blog #17 - Fruit
Unstampabelles Challenge #81 - Fancy Frame or Border

Isaiah 58:7-8 (WEB)
7 Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Yahweh shall be your rear guard.

365 Promises of God - Promise #204: If you share with the needy, My glory will guard your back.