Time to Flutter

Sorry I'm late today getting my Flutter By Wednesday blog written. I've been gone today -- visiting a good friend -- and I didn't have a chance last night, after work, to preschedule my blog. Today is the last Wednesday of the month, so that means that our challenge for this week is open -- no theme, no sketch, no color requirement -- just whatever you want to do AS LONG AS you include either a fairy or butterfly.

My image is by Milk Coffee stamps -- isn't she pretty? I colored her up with my Copic markers. I also did something I seldom do -- I colored black hair -- shew, think it turned out well. I was not going to fussy cut this beauty, but because of the width of her wing span, I would have either had to use the cut outside the box technique or use a huge die. I weighed the issue for quite some time and finally decided to just give in and fussy cut! I cut the oval upon which the image is sitting with a Spellbinder die, and inked the edges with Tim Holtz distressing ink (I believe I used Antique Linen). I then cut a 5.5 x 5.5" white base card and layered it with DP from a Glitz Pack 8" paper pad. I also distressed the middle strip and the striped strip (although it does show on the stripey piece). The stripes are a dark chocolate brown as is the narrow ribbon (Offray). I added a clear teardrop shaped rhinestone to each corner and also tiny round ones to the center of the two large roses.

There is plenty of room at the top or sides of the card to add a sentiment, but I've not added one because, at this time, I'm not sure how the card will be used. I don't currently have a specific need in mind, so I've left myself options for a later date.

Hope you will join us this week in the Flutter By Wednesday challenge. We always enjoy seeing what all of you create. Please drop by and see what the DT has put together for your inspiration, and if you have a few minutes, visit their blogs and leave them some LUV.

Twist of Faith Green Challenge

This week is a color challenge, and our chosen color is:

GREEN plus

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

" ⁷ Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest. ⁸ If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life. " 

                              ~ Galations 6:7-8 GW ~

We are so happy to have Bugaboo Stamps joining us with their sponsorship for you! Our random prize winner will receive their choice of SEVEN Bugaboo images!

Bugaboo has an extensive collection of images, fun and funky, sweet, saucy, and for every occasion you can imagine! Sign up for their newsletter and updates, so you know when the new images are released, and there's a fabulous freebie every Friday!

This card is made using Bugaboo Stamps Ava on Shamrock image. Isn't she cute? Our required color is green which I've combined with a pretty blue. Did you know that green is considered a "neutral" color as it goes well with any other color in the spectrum? Look at a garden and see how God has used green as a base for all the flowers. Look at a meadow and notice the various colors of wildflowers dancing on a carpet of green. Look closely at the trees, especially flowering ones, and see the myriad of flower colors and leaf colors peeking out from a cloud of green leaves.

After coloring my Ava image with my Copic markers, I've used designer papers from several sources (and opps, I forgot to write them down).  My card base is white with a layer of green matted with blue card. The next layer is a green and blue design DP matted with the blue. Then the strip of green and blue stripy DP also matted with the blue. I used a narrow green gingham ribbon across the stripy paper and then added my imaged (matted) at a slight tilt. Lastly, I added three pearls (which I seem to be using a lot lately) and my sentiment -- "Put not your faith in luck but in the steadfast promises of God."

Least you go hunting for it, I will tell you I made up the sentiment. I was thinking about how I was going to use the Shamrock image in a religious context. The Shamrock is native to Ireland, and it is believed that Saint Patrick used the Shamrock in teaching the concept of the Holy Trinity in his missionary works in Ireland. It is a sweet story, but not necessarily a widely known story outside of the Catholic faith. So, as I fretted about this, it dawned on me that more people are familiar with the concept that a 4-leaf Clover is associated with "luck." I don't really believe in "luck." I believe in hard work, following the right path, trusting God and receiving His blessings. As I thought on those things, the verse came into my mind (when we are still, He will give us answers).

Take a visit at the Twist of Faith blog and have a look at what the DT has done this week. Then, pull out your green and get to crafting. We'd love to see your entry this week, and who knows, you just may be the "lucky" (HA!) winner of this week's Bugaboo prize (or as I prefer to say, you may be blessed).

Challenges:
http://canyoudigiit.com/blog/ - Green
http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://foreverfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - Use Ribbon or Lace
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes With a Sentiment
http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/ - Colouring
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/ - Anything Goes
http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/ - Green, white + 1 other color

Tuesday Morning Sketch 183

 

 

This is a wonderful sketch to use, and I've since used it for another card. I wasn't overly happy with my DT card this week. The image is darling, and the sketch is great, but my execution just isn't working for me (pastels are just so not me). I think I'll be redoing this card with some brighter colors. The background paper matches nicely, and the middle strip is actually pink (looks brownish in the photo), and the little flower is pretty, but combined I'm viewing the card as a bit washed out.

 

First of all, our sponsor this week at Tuesday Morning is Lil Inker Designs. Her stamp designs are fabulous and I am loving her dies selection, too.  She is offering a $10 store credit for a prize. She sent each of us an image, and mine is the cute little balloon girls -- perfect for a birthday card, right?

 

I am going to leave now and go see if I can't come up with something I like a wee bit better than my DT sample. Will be back shortly and show you the remake. In the mean time, hope you will also visit your craft room and whip up a lovely to enter in this week's challenge.

 

See ya' soon!

I'm back with my revised card. This one is a bit better -- a little more color -- but I think I threw myself "off" with the Copic colors I used to color up my image. This still isn't where I'd like it to be, but think it is better than the dull pastels of my first card. I'll let you be the judge as to whether or not I improved the look (smile). I just think birthdays should be more fun and vibrant, so don't know where my mind happened to be when I made the first card (grin). Without further ado, here is the revision

 

Over all, I think I am a little off my game on this one. However, my DT sisters are NOT off their game, so take a few minutes and visit the Tuesday Morning Sketch blog and feast your eyes on some really pretty inspiration cards. Today I definitely stand in the shadows next to them (smile). Have a good week, and hopefully I'll see you back again next Tuesday!

Yellow and Green

I was so caught off guard with this card. I colored up the image early on and had it in my mind that I had actually made the card and was "ahead" of my game. Last night, when I went to prepare my posting, I discovered that yes, I had colored the image, but no, I had not made my card! As much as I like the spring season (and yellow and green is definitely spring-ish), the combination in my crafting is just so NOT me! I really seldom use yellow at all (green lots, but yellow not), so I did struggle a bit with this card.

Yellow and green is this week's theme for the Card Crafter's Circle challenge. We (and especially I) want to see what you do with this color combination (as you can tell, I need enlightening)! We are happy to have Milk Coffee Stamps joining us again with their sponsorship for you! Our random prize winner will receive their choice of FIVE Milk Coffee images!  I know that will be a fun prize to choose!

Now, I really, really like this little image (Milk Coffee's Fairy Princess). I think she is adorable and perfect for any little girl card. Look at her sweet little face -- a bit of a Mona Lisa smile. I colored her up with Copic markers. The cardstock I used is from my stash, and the patterned paper is from Kraft. I started with a green base which is layered with the yellow and then the DP. At this point, I felt my poor eyes and brain needed a bit of a "rest," so I added a white doily which is made from a Cheery Lynn die (FRM135, Swedish Spring Oval Frame). I then layered my image onto a piece of the yellow, punching one side with a Fiskar's scallop punch.

I added small pearls around my doily as the flower centers, and I used pearls in each corner cut from a strand of scalloped pearls (all by Recollections). My yellow ribbon and bow (Offray) is topped off with a yellow open tea rose (Recollection) which I adhered with dimension foam dots. My sentiment is computer generated using a font called Marnie and is layered with the green card.

Despite my lack of fondness for this color combination, the card actually turned out very pretty. IRL, the colors aren't quite as bright looking as they are in the photo I'm having to use. The yellows and greens are "softer" and     look quite nice together. My teamies over at Card Crafter's Circle have all come up with their own combinations. Take a look! Then get busy creating your own spring card with our color combo and enter it in this week's challenge.We want to see you there!

Challenges:
http://copicmarkereurope.blogspot.com/p/challenge-page.html - Anything goes
http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/ - Anything with wings
http://foreverfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - Favorite embellishment (Ribbons, flower & pearls)
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.co.uk/ - For a Girl
http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes

Little Flower Fairy

Good morning dear followers. Today is another Wednesday, so that means another challenge at Flutter By Wednesday. This week we have another great layout sketch for you by our own wonderful Kathy Curry, and here it is:

Each week I am totally blown away by the beautiful cards that the Flutter By DT create for your inspiration. This week is no exception. You really MUST visit the FBW site and partake of all the lovely eye candy that is there. Really, if they don't tickle your Muses, then nothing will.

 

I've chosen to make my card a 5.5 x 5.5" square rather than the rectangular shape. My little fairy image is colored up with Copic markers -- isn't she adorable? The patterned papers are from a little packet I picked up at Michael's and are designed by Paula Deen -- yes, "that" Paula Deen who left the kitchen long enough to create equally yummy papers for us crafters. The white lace is by Jolee, and the flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts. I hand punched the leaves and molded them with my stylis tool to give them a wee bit more dimension.

 

This is a wonderful sketch -- very versatile. I know you will have no trouble at all using the sketch -- over and over and over again. Do give it a try. Then add a butterfly or fairy and enter this week's challenge.

 

Take care and have a great day!

 

Challenges:
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ - Girly
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/ - Anything Goes
http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/ - Layers
http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/vickie-challenges.html - Anything Goes

Friendship

Hello again! It is also time for another new challenge at the Twist of Faith card challenge.This week our sponsor is Milk Coffee Stamps. Our random prize winner will receive their choice of FIVE  Milk Coffee images! Milk Coffee consists of two artists who love to draw cute illustrations! They offer cute, quality digital stamps, which are perfect for all forms of paper crafting.  They make cute images for cute creations!


This week's challenge is themed:

FRIENDSHIP

AND a scripture, or uplifting verse/quote or positive words of healing, encouragement, or support

Grrr, Blogger seems to be eating my posts lately. I had written more beyond this point and "published" the entry. I just now have come back to check on something only to find the rest of the blog is missing! I have to laugh despite the irritation because this little card evidently was destined to be my bane from the "git go." I started by coloring two WRONG images. Milk Coffee is also the sponsor this week for another challenge for which I'm on the DT, so I colored images from that group instead of the ones that were sent to be used for this group. OK, so why two before I got it right, you ask? We are assigned images, but Milk Coffee is kind enough to send all the images to every DT member. The first image I colored up was not the one I was supposed to use, so I colored the second image. Yuppers, that's when I discovered I'd colored the image for a different assignment.

Finally got the "right" image colored up and started making my card. Well, Murphy's Law prevailed in the construction work, too, and after several mishaps (of which I won't detail), I finally got this little card finished up (Shew!!).

My image is the cute little girl reading, and the sentiment I used is "Having you as a friend is like curling up with a good book." Now, I am an avid reader (well, I used to be much more so before card making came along - grin), and there is nothing better than curling up with a good book -- especially in front of a fire on a cold day -- yum! Going a step further, there is no better book to curl up with than the Bible. Have you ever stopped to consider the Bible contains every literary genre there is. Whether you are looking for romance, poetry, mystery, adventure, law, short story, biography, you'll find it in the Bible. (OK, you won't find fiction there, but everything else is included.)

Oh, I think I've gotten side tracked. I am supposed to be writing about my card. I colored my image with Copic markers on X-Press It brand card. After coloring the "pillows" behind the little girl and making a mess of them, I ended up paper piecing them using a double sided piece of scrap from my scrap bag. I think they turned out rather cute, and I was much happier with them than the colored attempt (smile). My card is a white base with a layer of blue card. The DPs used are by We R Memory Keepers, and the ribbon is Offray. The little corner punches are by EK Success hand punch.

I hope you will spend a few minutes going over to the Twist of Faith blog. The design team does lovely cards that are truly inspirational (both creatively and emotionally). Our blog mom has worked hard to make this blog and her concept of challenges that provide uplifting message a reality. Unlike other Christian based challenges, Pauline has tried to keep the requirements fairly "open," by allowing you to use uplifting sentiments and not restricting you to only Bible verses. Who doesn't want to receive or send an uplifting message to a friend? We really would like to see more participating in our wonderful challenges. We have great sponsors who generously offer free prizes each week -- a definite plus -- so do please give Twist of Faith consideration as you are working on those lovely creations that you enjoy making. Thanks!

Challenges:
http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes
http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.com/ - Warm thoughts
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/ - Ribbon
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/ - Use a Digi
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/ - Friendship

Tuesday Morning Sketch 182

Good morning my blogger friends. Today is another Tuesday, so a new sketch is being offered at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This week's sponsor is Doodle Pantry!  Laurie's image are so cute and fun to work with!  Play along and you could win!!

This is the sketch for this week: 

I turned the sketch vertical for my card. The card base is white with a layer of DP. I then used orange dotty DP and yellow card before adding my little Magnolia image. I used green gingham ribbon and orange roses (Wild Orchid Crafts) and a larger orange flower (Recollections) for my embellishments. The sentiment was computer generated and then hand cut into a banner shape. I rolled the banner and adhered it with glue dots.

There you have it. Hope you will get inspired to join us this week in our new challenge. If you need more inspiration, then do hop over to Tuesday Morning Sketches and have a look at the other FAB cards the design team is sharing. They are all super great!

Challenges:
http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/ - Lavish Layers
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/ - Love is in the Air
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/ - Heart

A Layered Valentine

A happy Friday to you all. This week at Card Crafter's Circle, we are challenging you all to use LAYERS on your card. You may, as I have, used different layers of paper, you may decide to make your image 3-D and layer it, or you may decide to layer on lots of embellishments and bling. The choice is yours, as long as we can see layers of something on your card.

Our sponsor this week is, once again,  STAMP ART DESIGN BY KATHRYNE! We are thankful to have Kathryne as one of our regular sponsors and always enjoy working with her designs. Kathryne has a variety of images and is always working on new ones, so we know you will always be able to find  something great to use   for your crafting needs.

My image is this cute little Raggedy boy. You may remember that I have previously used one of Kathryne's adorable Raggedy girls (she has several), so it was only fair I give the guys equal time (smile). I've colored my image using my Copic markers (you've come to expect that, right?). Then using various DPs from Crate Paper (Toy Box Collection) and Kaiser Craft (Save the Date), and black card, I built up my colorful layers. The little ribbon is from my stash, as well as the hearts. I used a Martha Stewart punch on the stripy piece.

Hope you will have a little time to visit the Card Crafter's Circle blog and that you will be able to join us this week in our new challenge. Have a great weekend and week. 

Challenges:
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/ -- alcohol ink
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - Anything goes
http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2013/01/spark-your-creativity-now-challenge-5.html - Anything Goes
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges - Valentine and ribbon
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ - Use a Digi

Not Really Late

I'm not really late with this post; you just can't see the one that was on time. Well, it was partially on time because I posted it last night rather than yesterday morning. I came home from work last night after getting off at 9:00 pm and spent about 40-45 minutes writing a very clever and creative post for this week's Twist of Faith challenge card. Did you see it? No? Well neither did I! After clicking the publish button, the entire post disappeared! Did I cry? Well, no. Did I want to? You betcha!

Our theme this week at Twist of Faith is For the Men, and our sponsor is new here at Twist of Faith. We are so very fortunate to welcome Melonheadz!

Melonheadz images are a fun and whimsical style, hand drawn by Nikki.  At the Melonheadz Blog you will find newly released sets which you can purchase at the Melonheadz etsy store. You will also find staggering selection of freebies (so who doesn't like freebies?). Pop along to the Melonheadz blog and see what you might find! At Melonheadz Exclusives you will find exclusive sets, and previous freebie bundles.  At Melonheadz LDS you will find LDS and Christian illustrations (primary hand outs).

Football (American style) season is almost over here in the US (thank goodness). The college games have finished up, and the pro teams are just playing elimination games to get to the two teams who will compete in the big show known as Super Bowl! The Hubs is not a die-hard, avid armchair quarterback, but it does seem as if football dominates the small screen during the period between Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday! With that picture in my head (and the Hub's 29 Jan. birthday coming up), I thought this little image provided by Melonheadz perfect!

Alas, I am ashamed to say that my Muses evidently didn't get the message and took off (as they often do during winter months) to more temperate parts, leaving me staring at this adorable image and no creative juices flowing. Finally a wee voice in my head said, "If you can't dazzle with creativity; dazzle with color!" Yes, that little voice is NOT very philosophically "deep," but it was the only option presented to me, and as the deadline for my DT card loomed closer and closer, I went with it!

After coloring my image, I matted it with black card. The patterned papers and the blue card are (again) from my scrap bag (really happy to be using so many of the scraps I've collected from this past year's cards). The little red buttons are from my growing collection (something I didn't previously have). The sentiment (alas, not Biblical nor inspirational -- my bad) is computer generated and cut with a Spellbinder labels die.

So there you have it -- simple but colorful -- and perfect for the Hubs! Do run on over to the Twist of Faith blog and have a look at the very creative cards that my team mates have made. You will enjoy the versatility and creativity. Now, keep your fingers crossed for me that the cyber-crooks don't decide to steal this post, too, and I can finally get this entry posted!

Winter White

 

This week our challenge at Flutter By Wednesday is Winter White! We want to see your all white creations! You may use color on the image but the rest needs to be white and remember to add your butterfly or fairy!!

I have created this elegant white on white card using various dies and embossing folders. I first cut several pieces using Marianne Creatables die LR0242 (you can find it at Dutch Paper Crafts). This set has 5 different dies, and I used the second and third die in the set. Aren't they just beautiful? Next, I used the fourth die in the set and after cutting, I embossed it using the Cuttlebug geometric rings embossing folder. My butterfly is another Marianne die CR1205. I embossed the butterfly using Provo Swiss dots embossing folder. After layering all my pieces, I added pearls and off-white flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts.

White on white cards are always so elegant looking to me, and my team mates have created some BEAUTIFUL cards for this week's inspiration. Please take a minute or two to check them out at the Flutter By Wednesday challenge blog. Then let us see what you design this week by joining our challenge.


Challenges:
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ - Dies or punches
http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/ - Winter White
http://artisticinspirationscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ - Anything goes
http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/anything-goes.html - Anything Goes

Tuesday Morning Sketch 181

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, so time for another Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge. This week our challenge is being sponsored by

 

Gerda was kind enough to send the DT some adorable images with which to work, and I received this adorable little girl with balloon. Before I get to my card, though, let me share this week's wonderful sketch. Here it is:

Isn't that neat? You should see all the different ways the DT have used this sketch. It may surprise you how many different ways you can use this simple design. It's also time for the Judged Challenge. So our added twist is to use two ribbons.  You must do the twist in order to be eligible for the prize.

I started with a white card base and opted to use a piece of printed DP as my background. This is such a fun little image which I colored up using my Copic markers, and since I knew I wanted to use the card for a birthday card, I wanted it colorful and sweet. The pattern paper is again from my scrap bag (so happy to be using the scraps), but I "think" it is a piece of Recollections paper. I combined my two ribbons by adhering the pink ribbon to the top of the blue ribbon. I then used a Marianne die (CR1202) to cut a frame and cut my image to fit the middle of the frame. I added a ribbon rose and then large white pearls to the bottom (to create the design at the bottom shown as hexagons). I then printed the sentiment, cut it out and "curled" it before attaching it to the card.

Hope you will join us this week in our challenge. Hop on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketch blog and have a look at the wonder DT inspirational card. I know you will enjoy the eye candy there.


Some Like it Hot

It is time for a new challenge at Card Crafter's Circle. Last week our theme was Snow. This week we are going 180 degrees to the opposite end of the of the seasons with our "Some Like it Hot" theme. Now you should be well aware that I am one of those people who like it hot! Despite the thermometer in my house registering 71 degrees F, my fingers feel like ice cubes as I try to type. Yeah, you can blame it on poor circulation or thin blood or whatever else -- BUT, I don't experience this in the summer (grin). This may be too much information and you are probably sitting there saying "Get on with the challenge, lady!" So, OK, I'll move on with it.

Our Sponsor this week is new to our sponsor family at Card Crafter's Circle.  We offer a warm and hearty welcome to: 

who is offering a wonderful $10 certificate to shop at the Floppy Latte store .... and if you use a Floppy Latte image in your creation there is a bonus for you! (Please make it very clear that you've used a Floppy Latte image in your creation.)

As mentioned, the theme for this week is Summer-Some Like it Hot! My image is of lovely butterflies and flowers -- definitely summer items in my part of the world. From spring until mid-summer (when it starts getting too hot for many flowers), our yard is covered with a myriad of flutterby beauties. It is a joy to sit on our porch or deck and watch them.

I've used a green card base this week with two patterned papers. I've added some large pearls and a sentiment (punched with a new bracket punch I received from a good friend for Christmas).

I hope you will take a few minutes to visit the Card Crafter's Circle blog and check out the lovely artwork of my fellow teamies. I think you will enjoy, very much, what you see. Then, hop on into your crafting zone and show us some HOT!

Is It Spring Yet?

Hello my fluttery friends. It is time, once again, for a new challenge at Flutter By Wednesday. This week we have as our sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps! They have such fun and whimsical designs, be sure to check them out!!

Bugaboo was kind enough to give the team digis to use and there is a generous prize to be won~ 7 digis of your choice from their store!! Hope you'll join in the fun this week!

This week's challenge is an easy one~ Open Challenge!! Anything goes as long as it has a butterfly or fairy on it!! Hope to see LOTS of entries!

My card features barefoot girl which I colored with my Copic markers. I'm ready for barefoot weather myself, so enjoyed using this image this week. After coloring her up, I layered quite a number of DP and aqua card plus added flowers and ribbon to carry the spring feel. Isn't that DP just yummy? It is all from Glitz Pack Laced Grace, a wonderful 8x8" pad. I topped off my design with pink gems and a computer generated Happy Spring sentiment.

 

Hope you will take the time to run over to Flutter By Wednesday and take a look at the other wonderful cards from our DT. You'll really be inspired by the lovely art work.

Tuesday Morning Sketch 180

 

 

Good morning again. I don't know where my mind has been as I thought I had pre-scheduled this blog entry last night (NOT). It wasn't until I went to a team mates blog that I realized mine wasn't posted. Don't you like that new sketch Melissa has provided for us? It is really a super one with which to work -- so versatile!

 

 

This week's challenge is sponsored by Freckled Fawn, and the prize is a $20.00 gift card. Freckled Fawn is owned and managed by Doe and Deer. Doe had a little dream and with a lot of hard work, a lot of prayer, and one very handy Deer, her dream came true. You will have a hard time, should you be our lucky winner, spending your gift certificate because you will want it ALL!

 

I've used a sweet Magnolia image and a Valentine theme for my DT card this week. The papers I've used are bits and pieces of various ones that came from my scrap bag (love it when I can use my scraps!!). Because they come from my left-overs, I no longer know which brand each is, so I do apologize for that. As you are aware, I do try, when I can, to let you know what I've used on my cards.

 

The cardbase is white with a layer of rose pink and then the green DP. My strips are coordinating bits of DP, and my ribbon is pink gingham. I cut the lighter pink circle using a lovely Marianne Craftables die (CR 1201), and I fussy cut my Tilda image then adhered her with foam dimensional dots so she would stand out just a bit. The little heart buttons have been in my stash for EVER, and the pink pearls are by Recollection. I moved the sentiment above my strips rather than below the ribbon so that it would show better. It is a small Valentine sticker (by Suzy Zoo - thank you Jessi for the help) that I'm not really totally happy with, but I discovered all of my Valentine sentiment stamps were too large for the space. I did try a computer generated sentiment, but again, that covered too much of my background paper. (I will confess that I have removed the sticker from my card, but not until after it had been sent for posting, so too late to take another photo for my DT submittal.) I may "play" with that element a little more (or not) until I find something I'm happier with - grin!

 

So, there you have it. Hope you will take some time and visit the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to see the fantastic cards the DT have made for you this week. Of course, we are hoping they will inspire you (as well as our wonderful sketch), and you will join us in this week's challenge.

 

Now, I'm off to my corner for a 10 minute time out for having been tardy getting my blog shared this morning! Ya'll have a great day.



Sketch Challenge - Twist of Faith

Can you believe we are already eight days into the new year? I pray the year has been good to you thus far. It is time for our second challenge for 2013 at Twist of Faith and this week we are providing a sketch for you to use.

 

Feel free to flip it or whatever else you see fit, as long as your end creation layout resembles this original basic sketch... (the text used is only to identify the sketch!) And of course you're free to use any embellishments you wish! Have fun!

 

Our sponsor this week is Beccy's Place.  We're so happy to have Beccy's beautiful hand drawn images grace our pages, and you will have such a grand time with picking THREE (3) images of your choice should you be our randomly drawn winner.

 

My image from Beccy's Place is an adorable elf sitting atop a spool of thread. Now I am not a sewer, no, no, no, but I think this little fellow is so pretty, and I immediately thought of an old saying that I felt fit our Twist of Faith philosophy to a tee. I actually think I might have slightly mis-worded the phrase as I believe it uses the term "stitched" with prayer rather than "sewn" with prayer, but the concept (and the truth) is the same.

 

I colored my little guy using Copic markers on X-Press brand card. I cut the image, inked the edges with ColorBox ink and then matted it with black. My card is a tan base with a layer of black and then a layer of some VERY OLD (I'm saying at least a decade old) Club Scrap card. I've added a band of tan DP (matted with black) across the bottom and then my sentiment (matted with orange) centered atop the band. Lastly, I've added orange pearl gems.

 

In case you cannot read the sentiment, it reads: "A day sewn with prayer seldom comes unraveled." This doesn't mean that you will never have snags in your day, but it has been my experience that prayer has held ME together during those snags. Prayer keeps me calm and focused when I am faced with the challenges and opportunities God places before me. An anxious mind cannot see solutions or blessings -- we don't think rationally -- situations start unraveling and become worse. We forget to "be still and know I am the Lord." When we "pray without ceasing," we are able to stay focused and despite whatever our day may bring, we are assured that the garment of God's love will hold us forever.

 

This card looks a bit CAS, but the combination of the beautiful image and the background Club Scrap paper (it looks like a splash of water colors) really makes for a stunning card that doesn't need any thing more (sorry the photo doesn't truly capture the full beauty). I do hope you will take a few minutes and go over to our Twist of Faith blog to have a look at more Beccy images and the lovely art work of my fellow DT members.


Snow Goddess

For this Challenge at Card Crafter's Circle our Theme is:

There's No Business Like Snow Business

We want to see wintery, snowy creations.... many of us in the northern hemisphere have or have had snow this year (even if just flurries as here in Georgia).  Those of us sweltering in an Australian summer (such as our illustrious challenge leader) WISH  there was snow at the door!

 

The sponsor this week is MICHELLE PERKETT STUDIOS! Michelle presents a huge collection of beautiful images which include mermaids, fairies, and people!  As you will see from our DT samples at CCC, Michelle also offers other delightful images sure to delight you. Our random prize winner will receive their choice of one of the gorgeous images showcased by our design team in this challenge post!   We are thrilled to have MPS sponsoring our challenges... because the images are so beautiful... and because they will always bring a smile to your face!

 

True confession time here. Unlike many of my fellow teamies, I do NOT like snow. I do not like cold weather at all, so truth be known, if I were able (financially and life style wise), I'd be what is known here in the states as a "Snowbird." In other words, I'd fly south for the winter! I am a true southern gal with a strong preference to staying WARM! I live in Georgia, and at one time, that seemed to be adequately south. Blame it on global warming or whatever, but over the past decade, it seems as if the winter cold has been moving into my area of the globe with more and more frequency!

 

OK, enough about that -- grumbling doesn't accomplish anything -- my fingers are still feeling icy as I type (smile). I used Michelle's beautiful Snow Goddess image for my card. (We received three images from Michelle to use, so please hop over to the CCC blog and have a look at the other two.) I've colored this beauty using my Copic markers, and have kept my composition fairly simple so as not to distract from the beautiful image.

 

I've used a white base card and layered two DPs (both have small subtle snowflake designs) onto it. I've separated the two DPs using a white ribbon (Offray). I've punched white snowflakes using a Martha Stewart punch, and added rhinestone gems (Recollections) to the center of the punched snowflakes. I then matted my image with blue card and built this lovely card around it.

Flutter By New Year

It is a new year and time for new challenges at Flutter By Wednesday. Our challenge this week is In With the New! Use something new on your creation or use the theme "New", for example--new baby, new house, etc.! Just be sure to have a butterfly or fairy on your creation!

We have lots of wonderful inspiration from the Flutter By Team so make sure you stop by our blog and have a look.

I have created a lovely card using three simple colors -- white, pink and green. If truth be known, I am already tired of winter (and alas, it just began) and am ready for spring, so to lift my spirits a mite, I have used a butterfly and small flowers on my card. I have started with a pink card base for this sweet, feminine card. I've then layered it with a panel of white. I then dry embossed two panels using first "geometric rings" by Provo and then "damask" by Tim Holtz. I cut each embossed panel to size and then layered them onto pink matting.

The green flourish is cut using a Cherry Lynn die. The sentiment is a digi stamp by Sweet and Sassy which I printed and then cut into an oval. I inked around the edges of the sentiment with pink Colorbox ink. My butterfly is punched using a Martha Stewart punch. I punched it twice and layered the two atop each other for dimension. The three little roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts. My pink rhinestone gems are from Recollections.

At the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one, we traditionally start off with good intentions to make changes in our lives. We want to discard bad habits or improve other ones. We want a fresh start to do better, be better, live healthier. Being primarily creatures of habit, research has shown that within one month, most of us have abandoned our resolutions and returned to our old ways. Hum! Regardless, we all DO change in some way each day, and so it is that I wish each and every one of you "butterfly changes" that lead to a happier, more beautiful year for you and yours.

Happy 2013. May the year be filled with beauty and blessings for all of you.

Welcome New Year

 

 

This week our challenge theme for Twist of Faith is

 

WELCOME!

 

Your card creation could welcome in the New Year, or a New Baby, or a New Home... the interpretation is left to you.   Please remember to add our 'twist' to your creation. Your card must include a scripture, inspirational quote or uplifting message.... it doesn't have to be on front of the card, but do show that it's there!

Here are two scriptures that address our theme.

"Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have 
done this have entertained angels without realising it!" 

                           Hebrews 13:2 NLT

 

"So reach out and welcome one other to God's glory. Jesus did it, now you do it!" 

                           Romans 15:7 The Message

Our sponsor is the wonderful The Doodle Garden... and Jennifer has a wonderful selection of whimsical hand-drawn images for all occasions in her Doodle Garden etsy shop. The prize offered to our randomly drawn prize winner, consists of two digital  images from The Doodle Garden blog for new releases!

I went a bit outside my comfort zone with my DT sample. I do NOT use purple very often at all, AND I have a very hard time mixing a lot of different colors and patterns on my work. However, as you can see, I did both for my card. My base is solid purple card with a layer of  purple and white plaid DP. On top of that I've added another layer, this time of pink and white dotty paper matted with the solid purple. Wait, there's more! I then cut a piece of stripy DP and matted that. Lastly, I matted my image, which I cut into a rectangular shape using one of my Spellbinder dies, with the solid purple. Lots of layers going on this little card. To finish off, I added a narrow purple ribbon, some pink gems and a sentiment "ticket."

I've not used a scripture on this card, but my "ticket" does send a positive message in that it reads, "Sending you hugs, and OK, kisses too" Is there anything more welcoming than a hug or kiss from a loved one?

Please take a few minutes to visit the Twist of Faith blog and see the beautiful cards of my fellow DT members. We are a might short this week as a few of our designers have still been on holiday vacation; however, the cards that are featured are beauties. Thank you for stopping by, and

I wish all of you a blessed new year. May it be filled with health, happiness and prosperity, and may the Lord be your guide as this new year unfolds.

 

Challenges:

Ends 8 Jan - http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ - Lots of Layers
Ends 6 Jan - http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/ - Bright and Happy (Use Bright Colours)
Ends 8 Jan - http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/vickie-challenges.html - Anything Goes
Ends 3 Jan - http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - Anything Goes
 

Happy New Year

 

 

 

First off, I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. It is my prayer that all of you will find health, happiness and prosperity in the coming days. I believe each and every day holds new promise, but there is something exciting about starting a whole new year -- twelve full months -- wonderment of what those new 365 days will hold for us.

 

I am starting the new year with a wonderful new DT position. I am looking forward to this new challenge and hope that my Muses are equally excited (grin). I have been asked to join the design team for Tuesday Morning Sketches. I have often participated in the TMS challenges, so when the call went out for a new team member, I set about getting my samples together. For a number of days, I held my breathe and eagerly checked my emails for news. I was thrilled (and relieved) when I found that I had, indeed, been selected to join the team.

 

This is my first DT submission. I hope you like it. The sketch we are using is:

 

 

Isn't it a great one? Very versatile, as you will see if you visit the TMS blog, and so easy to use. Our sponsor this week is Floppy Latte Designs who provided lovely images for the DT to use. My image is Rose Fairy which comes in a lovely silhouette format. Isn't she beautiful? Floppy Latte is offering a $10 gift voucher ($12 if you use a Floppy Latte image) to our weekly winner.

 

My card is a white base layered with a DP from DCWV. The image mat and the two pieces along the bottom are from my scrap bags. (This is a wonderful sketch for using some of those scraps we all save.) The three hearts along the side are metal and were part of a gift I received this very Christmas from a girlfriend. They are by Momenta. They have adhesive on the back and are a set of nine hearts (three of each of the patterns shown on my card).

 

I wanted to add a sentiment to the yellow strip (bottom), but I couldn't find a stamp in my vast stash that I felt met what I wanted, so I dug through my stash of rub-on stickers (yes, I still have some of those and still use them) and added the simple word "love" to finish off my card.

Challeges:

Ends Jan 7 Papertake Weekly  anything goes

Ends Jan 7 Wags & Whiskers  Anything Goes

Ends Jan 6  Pink Elephant - CH #127 anything goes

Ends Jan 5 - http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes