Healing, in the Name of Our Lord

Today I am sharing a card with you that was inspired by two challenges.

First, Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge 231: Easter/Spring Religious Inspiration

Second: Viva la Verve March Week Two Sketch

For The Shining Light Challenge, I chose to go with a religious theme and add a few flowers for spring.

Using Hope stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs

I needed this card to be somewhat masculine as I was creating it for my brother who was diagnosed with lung cancer this week. So, I chose to stick with neutrals. I used a lot of white because that is the awareness ribbon color for lung cancer. It originally was a clear ribbon to symbolize air being clear but many people did not notice the ribbons so they changed it to white. I like the white because to me it symbolizes the purity of air the Lord will fill my brother's lungs with when He HEALS him!

The cross-cut out background was created using my Cricut Expression and a new cartridge called Edge to Edge. I was really excited to find this because I am loving all those intricate die-cut backgrounds that I am seeing everyone use but, I'm not really wanting to make an investment in those just yet. The long banner was also cut with Cricut using the Phrases cartridge. I then ran it through a Spellbinders embossing folder that has gorgeous crosses and swirls in it.

I'd also like to share this with the fine ladies over at Word Art Wednesday.

Thanks for blessing me with your presence at my little corner of the web.

Viva la Verve November Week 4

Hello Blogging Friends! It's been quite awhile. I've missed you all so much and I've really missed creating, sharing with you, and hopping around to see what you have been up to. So much has been going on in my life; it's just been over the top crazy. So much so, that I ended up spending my Thanksgiving in the hospital. Praise the Lord, I am home now! Let me tell you, being hospitalized can really put things into perspective for you.

Anyways, I'm so grateful to be back home among my family, friends, and loved ones that I have vowed to start making time for things that I really treasure and enjoy and one of those things is creating cards. But, not just creating them...sending them out to people who need encouragement and "Letting my light so shine" for Christ.

So tonight, I'm getting it in just under the wire, but I really wanted to create something with one of the Viva la Verve sketches for November. I chose to go with this one...

I broke out one of my un-opened Verve Stamp Sets and finally inked it up. The set is called Let it Be and it is one of my favorites.

I hope you like my take on the sketch! Thanks for stopping by...

ODBDSLC167: Sketch

Hello Everyone! It's time for a new Shining Light Challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs.


This week we are challenging you to use this sketch to inspire your card design:

Before I show you my take on the sketch, I just have to admit what a challenge this sketch was for me. It looks pretty straightforward and simple, right? Well, after my third and final try, I decided to go with that old rule of thumb I've heard about sketches: flip it, rotate it, change out shapes, add a layer, or skip one as long as you can still see the basic outline of the sketch in your design. 

ODBD Stamps Used: Blessed Christmas

I hope that you will join us in our challenge this week. To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, August 25, at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next challenge. In order to win this prize, you do not need to use ODBD stamps, but if you have them, we would love to see them!! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps, we will be choosing three or more participants for the Shining The Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, August 25, at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBSLC167. When creating posts on your blogs, please include a link to the challenge.


I hope that you'll stop by my fellow designer's blogs/galleries and see their lovely creations for this challenge:

Cheryl Scrivens

Jan Marie Ennenga

Diana Nguyen

Chris Olsen

DJ Rants

Thanks for dropping by today. God Bless You!

ODBDSLC163: Inspired by Cake

Hello Everyone! It's time for a new Shining Light Challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs.

This week our challenge is Inspired by Cake. Create your design using inspiration from either one of these beautiful wedding cakes...

I drew inspiration from the blue cake. I loved the swirls of branches and blooms and the icing pearls outlining each layer.  I also am very low on my stash of birthday cards so, I decided to turn all this into a birthday card.

I started my card with a vertical base of Retired Bordering Blue CS from SU. I think this was my last sheet and luckily I had enough to make the card base and other layers out of this one sheet. Next, using my Birds & Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder I embossed a smaller layer of bordering blue and then sponged on Ivory White Folk Art Acrylic Paint to make the embossing stand out more.

Since I knew I wanted to make a birthday card, I pulled out Our Daily Bread Designs Birthday Blessings Stamps Set.

Using my Cricut and Elegant Edges cartridge I cut out a 3 1/2 inch label to stamp the pitcher and bowl on and then a 3 3/4 inch label to mat it on. The cut that I used is called "Leaves".

I stamped the image on the white label and colored it with Copics. Coloring is not my specialty so, there is just basic coloring done here with a little bit of the blender pen.

I needed something to place my sentiment on so I cut out a Spellbinders Grommet Tag.

Once everything was adhered to the card the way I wanted it, I began to add the liquid pearls in Opal White and Baby Blue. For finishing touches I added a pre-made butterfly embellishment from K & Co.

I hope that you will join us in our challenge this week. To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, July 28 at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next challenge. In order to win this prize, you do not need to use ODBD stamps, but if you have them, we would love to see them!! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps, we will be choosing three or more participants for the Shining The Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, July 28, at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBSLC163. When creating posts on your blogs, please include a link to the challenge.


I hope that you'll stop by my fellow designer's blogs and see their lovely creations for this challenge:

Cheryl Scrivens

Jan Marie Ennenga

Diana Nguyen

Chris Olsen

Thanks for dropping by today. God Bless You!

CDS: February New Release

Hi Everyone! It's the 15th of the month and that means it's time to see the newly released digital images from Clearly Digi Stamps by Clear Dollar Stamps!

There are some really darling sets being released this month so be sure to stop by the Clearly iStamp Blog to see all the new releases.

Today, I get to preview two of the new sets right here on my blog!

First up is Eat More Cake...

From this set I used the blue sprinkled paper, the cake image which I layered with the sprinkles image in PSE, and the fun sentiment.  I used a cupcake embossing folder to keep inline with my cake theme. To pull it all together I cut out two brown corner accents using my Cricut and Storybook cartridge and added blue rhinestones to the center. My cake image is also layered on some Cricut cuts from Elegant Edges cartridge. 

I'd like to enter this card into the Birthday Challenge at Card Makin' Mamas and the Birthday Challenge at Broken Box Stock.

Next up is Seasonal Crosses...

Using a rose-bud embossing folder I embossed the front of a plain white pre-made card base. Then I went over the raised areas with one of my Versa Magic chalk inks. I staggered some pink liquid pearls in the centers of the embossed roses and around some of the leaves. Using my Cricut and Elegant Edges cartridge I cut out a white label to print the spring cross image on. Before printing the spring cross image I layered the Hope sentiment onto the cross using PSE. I colored the spring cross with my Copics. I wanted this layer to really pop against the green so, I cut out another label in pink and mounted the spring cross image onto it. Again using my liquid pearls I went all the way around the label making tiny pearls to add elegance and pop to this otherwise clean and simple card.

If you already love Clearly Digi Stamps or would love the opportunity to try them for free please stop back by my blog on Sunday 2.17.13

We will be having our monthly blog hop and the best part is that every Designer on the hop will be allowed to give away the set that she used on her design to one lucky random winner who leaves a comment. Isn't that super cool? The winner will receive a full free set including colored and non-colored images, matching sentiments and digital papers where applicable. So don't miss out. See you on Sunday!

Tuesday's Testimonial 12

Happy Tuesday! It's time for Tuesday's Testimonial Linky Party where I share a project with Scripture on it and invite you to share any kind of paper crafted project with Scripture on it. We do this to encourage one another and to Glorify God.

Today's project is page 2 of my Cricut Elegant Edges Scripture Book. I wanted today's project to focus on prayer and being thankful since this week is Thanksgiving here in the US.

 A truly religious life is a life of constant joy. We would rejoice more if we prayed more. If we pray without ceasing we shall see cause to give thanks for sparing us from trials and tribulations. This is not to say that we would never go through a trial in life as God does allow his children to endure some things so that we may grow from it and be better able to help a fellow Christian who may later cross our paths with the same trial. So pray and give thanks even for those trials.

Supplies: Cricut; Elegant Edges Cartridge; Berry Blossoms DSP; Wisteria Wonder CS; Lucky Limeade CS; Prima flower; Lavendar Lace liquid pearls; Recollections Swirl Bling; Spellbinders Lacy Ovals; Verve Stamps Scripture Plain Jane.

If you would like to share a project with me that you've made using Scripture please use the inlinkz tool below. I'd love to see what you've made using the Word of God!

Tuesday's Testimonial 11

Happy Tuesday! It's time for Tuesday's Testimonial Linky Party where I share a project with Scripture on it and invite you to share any kind of paper crafted project with Scripture on it. We do this to encourage one another and to Glorify God.

Today's project is a new one that I have just started. I am using my Cricut and the Elegant Edges cartridge "book page" feature to create a Scripture book. Each page will have a different decorative edge. The pages will measure 5 inches and when completed I will bind them with book rings.
As I make each page, I am challenging myself to focus on that particular Scripture for the entire week.
Here is my first page...

 Supplies: Cricut Expression; Elegant Edges Cricut Cartridge; Berry Blossom DSP from SU; Spellbinders Lacy Sqaures; Lucky Limeade Ribbon & Cardstock; Verve Plain Jane Scripture; Recollections Bling.

We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and believe that He is able to do what is wise and what is best. If we rely upon our own understandings it is like propping one's self upon a table with a missing leg, which when leaned upon too heavily, will fall. Instead, we should beg God to direct us in every aspect of life, no matter how plain and simple it may seem. When things turn out pleasant we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. When things prove to be uncomfortable, we must acknowledge Him with submission. As is promised, He will direct us so that our lives will be safe and happy. 

If you would like to share a project with me that you've made using Scripture please use the inlinkz tool below. I'd love to see what you've made using the Word of God!

PSC53D: Birds & Blooms

Hello everyone and welcome to the fourth and final day of our one year birthday/anniversary challenge celebration at The Perfect Sentiment! We have sponsors who have donated generous prizes for each challenge and since we are doing this blog hop style, there are hidden prizes along the way. The good news is you will have 3 full weeks to complete all the challenges and blog hops. There will also be a grand prize that you will be eligible for if you complete all the challenges! You can see the Grand Prize and add you name to the inlinkz here once your complete all four of the challenges.

PSC53D: The Challenge/Twist: create a card with a sentiment for the occasion of your choice. Include your sentiment on the front of your card. / Incorporate a bird or a bloom, or the combination of both somewhere in the design of your card. 

I have to admit that when I planned this challenge I had an unfair advantage over my Design Team. I knew I had the perfect image to use and it was still in it's original package, unused. The image comes from a stamp set called "Praise The Lord" by Sweet N Sassy Stamps. 

 

Like I said, perfect, right? My card design was inspired by this week's Mojo Monday Sketch. 

Supplies: Praise the Lord stamp set by Sweet N Sassy Stamps; Lacy Squares Spellbinders Dies, Cricut & Phrases cartridge (used to cut out little banners); Weathered Wood Distress Ink; Basic Gray CS from SU; Gina K Pure Luxury CS; My Minds Eye Dolled Up Designer Paper Pad; Copic Markers; Prima flower and Pink brad from my stash.

Hop along to the following blogs to see what our Perfect Sentiments Team has created to inspire you!

Cheryl

Jan

Jenn

Karen

Maggie

Nana Connie

Vickie

Be sure to leave a comment at each blog as there are hidden prizes along the way. 

Be sure to leave a comment at each blog as there are hidden prizes along the way. 

Once you are inspired to create, come back and link up your creation using the inlinkz tool below to have a chance at today's prize:

 Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps will donate a $15 Gift Voucher to their store to one lucky random winner from today's challenge. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope to see you over at The Perfect Sentiment. 

I would like to enter this into the FOSTV Challenge to use distressing

Viva la Verve Sept `12 Week One Sketch

Today I'm sharing a card that I made for my Aunt. She's been experiencing some problems with her heart and is going through a lot of medical testing. I thought she could use a little cheering up.

My card design was inspired by this sketch from the Viva la Verve Sketch challenges in the SCS forum.

The ideas for the colors I used came from the Stampin' Up! ® Color Coach. This particular combination is referred to as a "Sweet Set"- Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand, & Perfect Plum. I'm challenging myself to use more of the color combinations from the Color Coach. Trying to step out of my comfort zone of just working with two colors.

I would like to share this project in the following challenges:

• Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes
• Paper-crafting Journey: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Have a blessed day.

Polka Dot Thanks @ The Perfect Sentiment

It's Wednesday and time for a new challenge at The Perfect Sentiment.

This week we are challenging you to make a "thank you" card and use polka dots somewhere on your card.

Our sponsor this week is Crafty Sentiments Designs. They will award one lucky random winner with 3 Free Digis of their choice.

My card design was inspired by this sketch...

Supplies: Bermuda Bay CS; Walk in the Park DP by Echo Park; Cricut; George and Basic Shapes Cartridge; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen; Black Soot Distress Ink; Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Words Cannot Express Stamp Set by Verve. 

 Be sure to stop by the The Perfect Sentiment and see what my fellow designers created for this challenge!

Stop back by tomorrow for a special announcement!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. May God Bless You.

Tuesday's Testimonial 03

Hello Everyone! It's time for Tuesday's Testimonial Linky Party where we share any kind of paper-crafted project with any Scripture on it.

Along with your project you can share some encouraging words, a Testimony, or just your thoughts on the Scripture.

If you do link up, please take time to leave a comment and then visit one or two of the other links in the party and share in their blessings.




I have another 6x6 page completed for my Sister-In-Law's album.

Many in our modern society today have the attitude that God is not needed as long as everything is running smoothly. So when income is good, family is safe, and health is stable, instead of acknowledging God and continuing to consult with Him on things they just go with the flow. However, in countless areas of our lives - marriage, family, careers, finances, etc. - we need a clear destination and navigation plan if we expect to be successful. God provides both!

So, in all your ways (every area of your life) acknowledge Him (pray about it, trust the Lord and not yourself and what you want) and He will make your paths straight (your life will be a success).

Scripture is the Word of God. We are what it says we are. We can do what it says we can do. We can have what it says we can have.

Looking forward to seeing what you have to share this week. 

Linking up to these challenges:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Add some sparkle 

Incy Wincy Designs: Dust it off (I used my Paper Lace Cricut Cartridge which I just had to have and have only used once or twice and some retired DSP from Stampin' Up.

Stamptacular Sunday: Wings and Bling