Valentine Memories

Valentine's Day is next week already! I usually only make a Valentine's card for my hubby but I came across this old photo of my parents on their wedding day and decided to make a card for my mom. My dad died 25 years ago but I know she still misses him...so do I. It is such a lovely picture! One of my sons, who is 25 years old, looks alot like my dad in this photo. And he is engaged to be married this year. The romance continues!

When I scanned the photo the ivory areas picked up a bit of yellow in certain areas so I found the lacey print cardstock that also has smudges of yellow along the edges...perfect match!

The reason I was looking at old photos was a challenge at Inkspirational which says to CASE anything from Yvonne's blog. Well, I went and looked at her blog and found many I wanted to CASE...I actually got ideas from several...but did settle on one lovely card! (See bleow)

Ingredients

Dies: Spellbinders "Timeless Rectangles", "Labels 15", "Labels 4";

Joy Crafts "Vintage Flourishes #32"

Stamps: ODB "Scripture Series 3", Inkadinkadoo "Love & Friendship"

Cardstock: Lilybeedesign "Smitten" (background), solids are from my stash

Flowers/Leaves: StampingScrapping "Wedding Flowers, cream", Michaels "Paper Flowers, Spring",

Jolee's by You "Olive Branch"

Embellishments: Pizzazz Aplenty "Pearls, Lt Coffee" & "Glitter Rhinestones";

Jane Creative "Silver Filigree Corner" 

Twine: American Crafts "Grey"

Sentiments are computer generated

Photo is a scan of my parents' wedding photo (1945) printed on Cryogen

Lace, doily, and silver heart pendant...from my stash

Challenges

Robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com - #197 "Valentine's Day Card"

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #137 "Love Me Tender"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #118 "Anything Goes"

Inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk - #49 "CASE Inspiration"

     

      Yvonne's card from May 7, 2013

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Happy creating!

Happy Fourth of July!

Yes, Happy 4th of July to you all!

Thanking God today for this great country I live in and the many freedoms we still enjoy. But the values and standards we live by have been eroding over the years and I am reminded that we all need to pray for the USA, it's leaders and it's people. Word Art Wednesday has chosen for their Bible verse this week

Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." ....very apt. Excellent reminder!

I did not use their artwork this time, instead I used I Peter 5:7, which tells us not to worry but trust God, also a wonderful reminder for uncertain times!

Ingredients:

Spellbinders dies - "Labels 15" & "Fleur de Lis Squares"

Stamps - ODBD "Scripture Series 3" & All Night Media "Classic Rose Frame"

colored with colored pencils and Memento markers

Red Ribbon & Twine - from my stash

Bling - EK Success

Challenges:
http://OurDailyBreadDesignsblog.blogspot.com - #160 Patriotic/Red, Wht, Blue
http://WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com - #87 Anything Goes
http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com - Make someone's Day + Sparkle
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #26 Bling
http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/ - #108 Red, White, Blue/Flag Colors
http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/cmccopicchallengegroup - #71 Colors of Summer
http://TuesdayMorningSketches.blogspot.com - Sketch

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope you all have a happy, safe and blessed 4th!

Butterflies in a Jar

Happy Sunday!

So far, quite a lovely day!

The past few days I have spent several hours creating one special card...

this one, for my grandson Clayton who "graduated" from 5th grade on Friday.

Clayton is very much an outdoors boy...he loves to fish, catch frogs and toads, and collect insects. So while looking through my Magnolia stamped images I found this empty jar, the butterflies and Edwin with the butterfly net. I wanted to put some of the butterflies in the jar somehow and came up with a clear round window...the butterflies are really mounted on the inside of the card. Lining it all up correctly took a little work (and LOTS of trial and error!) but I'm happy with the results.

Edwin and the butterflies are colored with Spectrum Noir markers, Memento markers, and a few colored pencils. The Congratulations is stamped in Memento "Tuxedo Black", the sentiment on the inside is computer-generated, the Bible verse is in a generic royal blue ink.

Here are the challenges this card was created to"fit" into:

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com - "Male Card + Use Metal"

http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com - "Use Your Scraps"

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com - #157 "Prayers, Blessings Encouraging Scripture"

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #22 "Stripes &/or Plaid"

http://thedutchmagnoliachickies.blogspot.com - #46 "Circles"

http://Tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - #201 

Ingredients:

Spellbinders dies - "Standard Circles Large"

Sizzix embossing folder - "Tim Holtz Dot Matrix"

Card stock (scraps) -American Crafts "Soho Garden" & DCWV "Nana's Nursery"

Foil - coffee can seal

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Congrats stamp - Stampabilities

Magnolia stamped images - Edwin with Net, Jar, Butterflies

Verve Bible verse - 1 Peter 5:7

Children Say "Happy Mother's Day!"

Mother's Day is fast approaching! I had high hopes of putting several Mother's Day cards on Etsy but time is running out! I'd rather make cards than try to sell them...too bad 'cause that would help pay for my "habit"!

My thoughts on Mother's Day

Mother's Day is such a special celebration of our mothers...mothers of all ages and all generations.

Of course, without being blessed with children a woman may have trouble celebrating the day. But its good to remember that our "physical" children are not the only ones to bless us...often we have spiritual children, and nieces, nephews, neighbors, students, friends...special children who mean so much to us. And not just youngsters, but any one God has placed in our lives to nuture and care for. 

My own dear little mother is now 88 years old and lives in another state with my siblings. I'm sure she never thought she would someday live with them again when they, one by one, left home to begin their own lives.

But God had a different plan and they are now caring for her...a role reversal. It took over a year to adjust but they are doing well and I'm thankful for their dedication to her. When I talk with her I can sense in her calm responses a sense of security and peace.

I myself am facing the "empty nest" very soon...next week, in fact. The last of our six children is moving into his own house! He's been remodeling and buying appliances and a lawn mower...he's excited and so are we, but I will miss him terribly. We have such good conversations and laugh together and discuss God's word and share a special adult relationship. He is one of the special reasons I get to celebrate Mother's Day!

(Yes, I've got tears in my eyes!)

So this is one more card to honor all the "mothers" out there...ALL varieties!

My ingredients:

Embossing folders- Sizzix "Ribbon" & "Dots, Circles, Stars"

Stamp- Sweet Stamps "Singing Children"

Bible verse- digital image from WordArtWednesday

Die cut- Sweet Stamps "Elegant Leaves"

Card stock- Lt blue: One Heart...One Mind

White: Bazzill

Sentiment- computer generated

Silk flowers, handmade flower, ribbon, trim- from my stash

...and Stitching.

And the challenges I'm entering this one in:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #115 "White on White + 1 Color" (blue)

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com - #152 "Needle It, piercing/stitching"

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com - #110 "Anything Goes"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #78 "Anything Goes"

http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - #196 "Sketch by Melissa" (which I turned on it's side)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! May you all have a truly blessed Mother's Day!

Encouragement & a Hug

Good evening, All!

Finished one more card today...which was supposed to be a simple one. But...I sometimes just can't make myself 'keep it simple'! 

Ingredients:

Magnolia stamp - "Cozy Family: Sister & Brother"

Our Daily Bread stamp - Bible verse

Cuttlebug embossing folder - "Madison"

Fiskar border punch 

Creative Memories "Corner Rounder"

Stampabilities Dye Ink - "Black"

TH Distress Ink - "Antique Linen"

DP (blue) - K&Company "Julianne"

other cs & buttons - from my stash

Challenges:

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com - "Anything Goes + 2 or more buttons"

http://craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com - #10 April "Anything Goes"

http://thedutchmagnoliachickies.blogspot.com - #43 "Colors: Red, White, Blue + a little Orange"
http://vssweetideas.blogspot.com/ - #10 "Anything Goes"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #76 "Anything Goes"

http://Mojomonday.blogspot.com - Sketch #290

A Rainbow of Colors

Good evening, my Friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Today I had a few minutes to finish this spring-colored card. I used a whole rainbow of colors: pink, peach, yellow, aqua, green and ivory.

The Bible verse on this card is one of my favorites; it is not one of the Ten Commandments, but is, rather, a summary of them...the heart of them. If we would love the LORD our God with our whole heart, soul and strength, all the other commandments would be much easier...they would come naturally.

I'm not sure what I will use this card for...probably a "Thinking of You" card.

For now, I am entering it in a few challenges:

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com - #150 "Scripture or Hymns"

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com - "One Paper Taker" (one patterned paper)

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #15 "Embossing"

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #113 "A Rainbow of Colors"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #76 "Anything Goes"

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com - Sketch #289

And here is the list of things I used for this one:

Cuttlebug embossing folders - "D'vine Swirls" & "Swiss Dots"

Bible verse - Our Daily Bread "Scripture Series 3"

Lg Dots patterned paper - The Paper Studio

Pizzazz Aplenty - pink & yellow blossom, flatback pearls in pink & peach

Scalloped circle stamp - Martha Stewart "Hearts & Flowers"

Offray ribbon - olive green

Zots glue dots

Satin roses, paper rose, doily, card stock - all from my stash

Shopping Our Stash Challenge 84 "Buttons"

Yes, its time for another challenge at Shopping Our Stash...another FUN challenge! This one is all about BUTTONS...especially OLD buttons! Buttons that have been in your stash for a long time. I have bags and jars and tins of buttons that I have been collecting since I was a high school girl, and since I am 60 now, I'm sure some of my buttons are real antiques (like me!).

Next week my hubby turns 61 on Wednesday so I needed a b-day card for him. I'm hoping I pulled off a "guy" card even though I used buttons. I know he will understand.

This had been an unusual holiday season for us this year because he has not been feeling so great. He has vertigo...its been a month now and its just as bad as when it started. The doctor says it should "go away" within about 6 to 7 weeks.(Yikes!) So far he has tried the Epley procedure, motion sickness meds, gluten-free diet, dairy-free (almost) diet, and massage. We are scheduled to go in to an allergist on the 15th but may go back to our family Dr first. Friends have suggested going to an ENT too. He's getting kinda desperate...any suggestions?

And here is the inside of the card...with even more buttons!

Now I will list what I used to make this one. 

First for the cover:

Blue cs and striped paper are both Paper Studio

Brown, white, and aqua cs...scraps from my stash

Brown ink is Vivid/Clearsnap

HB stamp is All Night Media

Lighthouse stamp is Our Daily Bread 

The mesh is wallboard seam tape

Old buttons from my giant button stash!

Next for the inside:

Same materials, but different stamps...

"Wonderful B-day" I borrowed from a friend

Bible verse is a Verve stamp

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you can join our challenge this week!

For more inspiration check out my talented team-mates' blogs...they are all listed in my sidebar or you can go to the SOS blog and see them all there.

Happy BUTTON-crafting!

A "Perfect Sentiment" for a Bingo Challenge

http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com  - wet or dry embossing

(I used dry embossing)

http://perfectsentimentschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/10/psc53b-bingo-with-sentiment.html -

Challenge #PSC53B, which is a challenge with a twist: create a card (with sentiment) using 3 items from the Bingo chart (below), in a row or column or diagonal.

I used the top row and the right column and the left to right diagonal so I've included pearls, ribbon, flowers, glitter, Die-cut, and dry embossing!

Here is my list of ingredients:

Cardstock/DP - TPC Studio "Blue Floral", SEI "Alpine Frost"

Stamps - JustRite "Kaleidoscope Medallions Set"*, ODBD "Keep My Lamp Burning set"

Die-cut - Spellbinders "Anglaise Lace Circles"*

Punch - Martha Stewart "Frond"
Glitter - Stickles* "Star Dust"

Pearls - KaiserCraft "Snow"*

Glue Dots* (LOTS of Glue Dots!)

The ribbon and flowers are from my stash.

*these items I purchased at www.StampingScrapping.com

A Simple Seaside Scene

Today I am at home instead of being up at the Ludington State Park Campground (Michigan) because I am still dealing with a nasty cold. I keep thinking "tomorrow I'll be better"...but so far that hasn't happened. Ludington is our family's very favorite place to camp! Some friends of mine went up there yesterday and had invited me to come stay with them for a few days. Maybe tomorrow....

The lighthouse stamp is of the actual lighthouse at the State Park called Big Sable Point Lighthouse. I bought the stamp a few years ago in the gift shop there. I love to use it especially for guys' cards. This one will probably end up being a birthday card for my youngest son...who will head up to Ludington next week, the day after his birthday!

Here's my list of ingredients:

Various cardstock is from my scrap box

Stamps: "Big Sable Point" by Gray Wolf Graphics Rubberstamps

Ps. 18:23 from ODBD set "Keep My Lamp Burning"

Ink: Memento

Glitter glue: Ranger Stickles "Star Dust"*

*purchased @ www.stampingscrapping.com

Challenges being entered:

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com - #81 "Tearing"

http://craftascene.blogspot.com - August: "Anything in the Great Outdoors"

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - "Seaside"

http://Stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com - "Stamping"

http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com - #48 "Summer Inspiration"

SSiC Challenge # 153- "Use A Sentiment ONLY"

Happy Sunday to you all!

This morning I am here to tell you about the next challenge, an unusual one, that I happen to like very much!

We are being challenged to "Use a Sentiment ONLY - NO Images"!

This week our very talented hostess is Candace.

The Bible verse she chose for this challenge is Proverbs 30:5

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

Our generous sponsor is once again Our Daily Bread Designs.

They are offering a $15 gift certificate to one randomly drawn winner from all the participants! That winner will get to shop in their wonderful online store! They have many new releases that just came out for August...both stamps and dies! Beautiful stuff!

I was able to take a sneek preview of the cards our DT has come up with for this challenge and WOW! they have all done amazing things! You can see all of their cards at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog or you can go to the individual blogs of each DT member by clicking on their name in my sidebar. Enjoy!

I sure hope you will be inspired to join our challenge this week!

I made two cards this week. The first one is kind of CAS and the 2nd one is definitely not CAS!

"Thank You" for stopping by my blog today!

Do you think this one took a little longer to make than the 1st one?

You got that right!

The Bible verse is an ODBD stamp, part of the "Lighthouse" set.

But one thing that did make it a little easier is a new set of  dies I have called

"Card Creator"* designed by Cindy Echtinaw for Spellbinders. They are rectangles that

are proportioned to fit on A2 size cards. They are perfect for layering and are "stepped down" in size by 1/4" but there are actually 2 sets available and when combined they "step down" by 1/8" increments. I really like the precise look you get when layering them. The other dies is from the Spellbinders set called "Fleur de Lis Accents"* and "Labels 4". The background stamp I used is a JustRite stamp called "Elegant Fronds"*...a new favorite of mine!

* All starred items are from www.StampingScrapping.com, my favorite craft store!