Christ takes us as we are . . .

After church on Mother's Daymy family and some friends and I are going to celebrate by going to a beautiful arboretum and botanical garden. One of my friends feels sad sometimes because she was a horrible mother when her kids were young. She improved at least in the ten years I've known her. She became a Christian and turned away from so many problems. Now she's a wonderful grandmother, so I want her to know the message of this card - that Christ takes us as we are, buries our sins in the deepest sea, and molds us into His image.

I used a little symbolism in the materials of this card. I used black hemp, a natural product, for me representing the natural man. I wrapped it around the paper on the left and wove it through the outer holes of the frame. Then below the text I used red sparkles, representing rubies, and white satin ribbon, symbolizing purity. Inside I'm including a portion of Proverbs 31 so that she can see how far she's really come. "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies. . . "

I used a verse from Clear Dollar Stamps, from the digital set "Become New." The sketch was CPS #264. The idea for the hemp was from the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #138, to use something real or natural. I used the middle panel for the large sentiment so that it would be the focal point, as suggested by Challenge #10 at Creative Card Crew.  Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge to use Lacing deserves credit for that idea that I incorporated.

I'll add more details after our Mother's Day Celebrations!

Circles and Squares Birthday Card

Challenges and patterned papers help me to develop my creativity. A couple of my friends think they're not creative. I know how that feels, but I decided to become more creative last year and challenges give me that little push to step outside what I used to do and try different things. Three challenges gave me the inspiration and ideas I used to make this card.

This morning I saw Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #112 to use Circles and Squares. I had picked out this Basic Grey paper to use with the color Challenge #112 at Cards & Things and realized it was perfect for Kaboodle Doodles' challenge.

Then I realized it also had grid lines and circles and squares arranged in rows (grids) which goes with the Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs. I decided that the design would look great if the circles and squares were popped up for extra dimension. I punched 1" circles out of the circle designs, stamped a red flower over the pink flower that was on the paper and pop dotted them over the matching circles, trying to match grid lines. I cut out the squares with scissors and pop dotted them in place. I had envisioned green ribbon so I left a space on the backs of the squares when I added the pop dots. However, red organdymade it "pop" and green didn't. Adding the ribbon and sentiment was my final step at this point:

I started to photograph the card and realized it needed just a little more pop and added the two colors of sparkles as a finishing touch. I seem to do that a lot. I think I'm finished with a card so I take a photo, then I think of one more thing. Most of the time I don't heed that thought, but today I'm glad I did.  I hope this thought process helps one of my friends who wishes she had more creativity. Happy crafting!

5" x 6.5" Birthday Card Recipe:
Paper - Basic Grey "Sugared;" Close To My Heart Autum Terracotta, Colonial White cardstock
Stamps - CTMH "Aspiration" (flower), "Card Word Puzzle" (sentiment)
Ink - CTMH Holiday Red, Olive
Other - CTMH Holiday Red organdy ribbon,  Red/Pink Sparkles; My Mind's Eye sparkles; 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches, pop dots

Age Is Just a Number - Frosted Designs Challenge

I love this birthday sentiment from Close To My Heart: Age is just a number . . . Yours will remain unlisted! It's perfect for my girlfriends, over 60 but still think we're 18.  Here's my card for the Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs. I used Graphic45 "Fashionista" paper.

Frosted Designs Sketch with Just Us Girls Palette

Today started out sunny but quickly the skies turned gray. This time of year I get so tired of seeing the colors outside my window. I'm so ready to see something besides shades of brown and gray. So I'm making bright, springtime-colored cards today from a paper pack I got on a huge discount. Since this is the third week of the month, Just Us Girls Challenge #124 is the following set of colors:

The sketch I used is from Frosted Designs Card Sketch #12.  Frosted Designs always has three challenges goin on at the same time. Besides the card challenge, they have a scrapbook challenge and a Fabulous Friday challenge. This week it's to use brads or eyelets. I accepted that challenge, too, and used both.  I haven't used eyelets much lately and I really enjoy running the baker's twine through the eyelets, so I was glad for that reminder in this challenge. Here's their card sketch:

 Here's my card for the three challenges:

I don't ordinarily get glittered paper packs in girly colors (I have 5 grandsons!), but after several months of winter, my eyes are ready for spring!

6.5" x 5" Card Recipe:
Paper - DCWV "The Sweet Stack"
Stamp - Close To My Heart "Treasure Life"
Ink - CTMH Twilight
Other - CTMH Just Blooms, (Spring Assortment brads and Breeze eyelets, both retired), Baker's twine "Paradise Assortment"