Beautiful Scripture at Word Art

There is a blog called Word Art Wednesday  that has free beautiful Scripture Verse digitals each week and a challenge each week with the option of using that verse, any verse, or any sentiment that is encouraging.  It is sometimes nice to send a card that is uplifting with either scripture or some encouraging words.  The scripture I used for this card is from Word Art.  It is a favorite of mine. 

I used some very old Stampin Up paper and some silk flowers I received in a prize package.  Love these colors. I usually don't do well with the Vintage look but I think I accomplished it in a CAS way with the card. I debated whether to cut out the leaf swirl in brown or the moss green but I think I like the added color of the green.  What do you think?

Challenges:
Love to Create - anything
PartyTime Tuesday - anything
Timeless Tuesday - vintage
Cutie Pie - 3 different textures (die cut, silk flowers, brads)
Lady Anne's - anything, stamp or digital

I Woof You

I could hardly wait to use this digital set.  I won it on a blog hop and I think it is sooo cute. What a great set to use to make masculine cards, especially for little boys. Set is by Clear Dollar Stamps.

There are four papers with this set. I used two of them.  The sketch can be found at Operation Write Home

The image is already colored so I just printed, cut, and glued.  I do enjoy coloring but WOW!, do I ever like these precolored digis when I am not in the mood for coloring.

It is a dreary, rainy day - great day for making some more cards!  Hope you get a chance too. 

Challenges:
Love to Create - anything
Stamp and Create - love
Crafty Creations - two identical items (ribbon)
Really Reasonable Ribbon - love
Craft Us Crazy- love
Lady Anne's - anything

TIcket to Love

Nine down, thirteen to go. Valentines.  Here is a different kind of Valentine, maybe for one of my sons?  Tell me what you think.

The BG paper is OLD Stampin Up scrapbook kit paper.  The brown ticket paper is My Mind's Eye Kraft Funday (love it).  The tickets are stamps from the Jan. 2012 Kit of the Month by Unity.  I cut them out manually but was able to punch out the corners and half circles on the kisses ticket with a small circle punch.  Thank goodness for that.Much easier than trying with the scissors.

Challenges:
Unity Friends with Flair
Really Reasonable Ribbon - valentine
Stamp and Create - love
Raise the Bar - text on paper
Lady Anne's - anything
Craft Us Crazy - love
Mark's Speedy TV - twine
Clearly i Stamp - brown and red
 Kraft Journal - punch it out

Dreaming of You

It was one of those "if only" moments .  After I had assembled the card, glued everything down, I wished I would have drawn a dream bubble and put the hearts inside the bubble.  Because this cute digital by Doodle Pantry comes pre-colored (which I used), I will be able to make up another card, quickly, with that idea.  The set comes with both colored and outline and I was actually going to do some coloring with the outline version but I had also printed off the BG paper so I went with the perfect match by using the colored version. 

The sketch is at The House That Stamps Built

For the chocolate brown hearts, I ran the paper through the Cuttlebug first before punching out the heart.  That folder reminded me of the spots.  The other hearts are Stampin Up Really Rust and Ruby Red but the color difference doesn't show up in the photo.

Challenges:
Pile It On - hearts
Really Reasonable Ribbon - love and ribbon
Craft 4 Eternity - punch
Paper Creator's Crafts - love
Craft Us Crazy - love
Lady Anne's - anything

Loads of Love for a Grandson

Autumn is my favorite time of year but Valentine's Day is my favorite day for making cards.  I make one for each family member plus a future SIL so I have 22 to make.  After making Valentine cards for OWH (deadline was Dec. 31), I took a break but now I need to pick up the pace and get these done. 
Most of them will be quite simple but I wanted to try to make one with a secret message per the challenge at Designers Choice Challenge - pull or slide card

This is the way it looks closed:

This is after the tab is pulled:

It isn't very fancy but it is for a small grandson.
The pick up image, loads of love sentiment and little blue hearts are by Stampin Up.
the highway icons and the tire tracks are from a $1.00 roller that I bought for the grandkids to use.
The Valentine sentiment are words from GKD set Happy Hearts.
I pull out this truck every couple years.  It is especially fun to fill it with hearts. It is one of the first stamps I earned with Stampin Up about 11 years ago. 

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - Golden Oldie
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Valentine
Paper Creator's Crafts - Love is All Around
Craft Us Crazy - love and/or red
Lady Anne's - use a stamp or digi
Pile It On - hearts

Making Scraps Pretty

You know how much I love using up scraps.  But paper bags?  Yes, I just made some flowers out of a brown paper bag and love how they turned out.

I found the tutorial at MFPF Speedy TV .  I used antique distress ink and some glimmer spray so IRL there is a shimmer.  The center is a multi-dimensional flower.  I had gems in my stash that matched.
The sketch is Great Impressions

At Timeless Tuesdays we were challenged to use at least 3 of 10 colors shown.  Fun challenge.
And the  Kraft Journal challenged us to use scraps.  I was able to use four pieces as well as a paper bag.

One of my goals this year was to try new techniques.  I procrastinated almost a whole week since seeing the tutorial.  But, yeah for me.  I did it.   It was easy.  Try one.

A New Heart

It is so good to be back to my passion - making cards.  I was beginning to wonder if the desire would ever return.  But yes, it is back.  Mojo is back.  Strength is back.  And unfortunately that means I can do housework now too. (insert sad face)  Seriously, I am so very thankful to be recovering so fully.  I started driving again, grocery shopping again, and this week I will be back as an Awana leader.  The Lord has been good to me.  I went to lunch with a daughter the other day and was lamenting that none of my shirts have a high enough neckline to cover the scar.  She said, "Mom, wear your scar with pride.  It means you are alive."  Very true.  How silly to let vanity get in the way.
Now , there is a  connection to all that with the card I am going to show you . I am making a lot of love and Valentine cards right now and as I stamp on the hearts or sentiments about the heart, it is a constant reminder that my heart is still beating.
I love this verse on the card.  The surgeons repaired my heart which has given me extended life here on earth but God created in me the possibility of a clean heart through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The sentiment is from Word Art .  Hearts are from my new set by GKD, Happy Hearts.
Sketch is Dutch Dare 

I love the BG paper.  I have had it for ages.

Other Challenges:
Kraft Journal - use scraps
Crafty Creations - something new

Two Variations of the Same Card

Hi, friends.  Just a quick post.  I never "mass produce" my cards.  In fact, I seldom make the same card twice.  But this year I am going to try to make more cards than last year.  For me, the most time in making a card is figuring out a layout or elements that work together.  So today while making a thank you card for one of my heros, I stamped the image twice - once in black, once in blue.  Keeping the layout really simple, here is what I came up with:

I used shades of blues as suggested in the inspiration photo at Crafts 4 Eternity  (using up a scrap piece of DP in my Patriotic folder).
For the second card, I added an arrow that is made with sequins.  I have never known what to do with this package of arrows but using it this way turned out neat. I turned the card a little so you could see the sequins on the arrow.

For both cards, I used the image from Our Daily Bread Design set "Not Forgotten" and words from  ODBD "Large Scrapbook Words".
The red piece of DP is a scrap .  I embossed the main panel with a Cuttlebug folder.

Yay !  two more cards for my OWH box.  Remember the postage rates go up Jan. 27.  Get some cards made and mailed by then.  

Challenges:
ODBD - old and new
Simon Says - black, white, splash of color
OWH ODBD - dry emboss

Love in a Grand Way

Another new stamp from another set by Gina K Designs called "Gleefully Yours".  Love this grand piano.  I embossed it with black (obviously) embossing powder to give it shine and set it off more than just using  black ink. 

I had a sketch by Verve in mind but then changed my mind as I put it together.  The hearts BG paper is a scrap of digital paper . The three hearts scattered around are punched out of hearts from the paper. 
Even though there are hearts, it is just a love card -not Valentine- so I can send it to OWH and it can be used any time of the year .

Have a great weekend. 

Challenges:
Pile It On - black, white, another color
Stamp and Create - love
Timeless Tuesdays - new
Simon Says - black, white, another color
CASual Fridays - round

Coffee and Newspaper

Who reads the newspaper anymore?  I haven't read one for years.  And I don't think I ever read the newspaper while drinking a cup of coffee - a book, maybe, but not the newspaper.  But I did add a piece of a dictionary page on this card to simulate newspaper because we do think coffee and newspapers go together.

The coffee pot and one of the sentiments is from the Gina K Design set "My Cuppa Joe" and the "what's brewing" is from the GKD "Heartily Yours Additions".  Just received this set and there are so many sentiments that I can use with other sets. 
I put some Diamond Glaze on the glass part of the coffee pot.  Popped that circle up with dimensional foam.
The base C/S is Stampin' Up Chocolate.  Crimped BG is a Light Weight Kraft from the Kraft Outlet.
The dictionary page is also from the Kraft Outlet.  It was fun to find "caffeine" in the sheets.

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - new
Kraft Journal - new
Craft Your Passion - vintage
Timeless Tuesday - new
Crafty Creations - new
Really Reasonable Ribbon - new

New Tri-Fold Card

Sandy Allnock at Operation Write Home came up with a new tri-fold card giving lots of room to write on the back page.  Her tutorial is Here.
I loved the paper  I used on my first try but I didn't like the way I colored the lamp.(I like the liquid pearls but not the base)  So I made a second card and I am really am very happy with it.
So, here is my first card:

And here is the inside:

I used Unity stamps for this first card.

Second card, using a digital image by Whoopsadaisy on the front and Hero Arts sentiments inside:

Cuttlebug flowers with liquid pearl centers.  Butterflies - Martha Stewart punch with liquid pearl body.

If you are interested in trying a tri-fold, I encourage you to try Sandy's - easy measurements, lots of room to write.

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - something new
Stamptacular Sunday - no square card
Our Daily Bread - new and old
Crafty Creations - something new
Timeless Tuesday - something new

New Images by Doodle Pantry

On the first of every month, Laurie Wilson released new digital images at Doodle Pantry.  I am soooo late bringing any of them to your attention.  I made this card with one of her cute sets called Olive You.  This is a free set with purchase of another set.  Fantastic deal.  I LOVE this set. I will be able to use it for love and Valentine cards for OWH.  I printed off several images - going to make several cards today.  Must meet that postal deadline by January 27.

Isn't it so cute?  I love the images and the sentiments.   On my card, I used a pre-colored image, a sentiment,  and one of the papers.

I used the weekly sketch at Operation Write Home:

I wish I had placed the sentiment more to the left.  When I printed it, I did not have a sketch in mind. Note to self - have sketch in mind first.  Oh, ya, like I ever do that.  That is why I have so many images in my scrap box !

Paper:  GKD Green Apple, Stampin Up Ruby Red.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to check out Laurie's new images.

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - new
Timeless Tuesday - something new
Simon Says - something new
Really Reasonable Ribbon - something new
Craft4Eternity - something new

Thanks Snow Much

Love that thank you sentiment.  Especially great for thanking someone this time of year.  We are still waiting for winter.  I don't think we will have one.  A few snow flurries but really mild temperatures.   Those of you who have to deal with snow and ice most of the winter probably can't understand wanting snow.  But I always like at least one big snow each winter.  I am thankful that we have had NO North-Easter winds from Canada.  Those I don't like.

This cute snow man and three snowflakes are from my new set by Gina K Designs.  The sentiment is an OLD stamp by Stampin Up.
I stamped the snowflakes on DP and embossed them with white.  Fussy cut the snowman and popped him up with foam tape.  I used some fun flock on his hat. His blue hat and scarf are paper pieced.

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - something new
Love to Create - winter wonderland
Timeless Tuesday - challenge 196 makes me happy
Simon Says - something new
Designers Choice - snow
Chocolate, Coffee, Cards - snowmen
CASual Friday - thank you

More New Fun

Sad to say, I did not get any craft supplies under my tree, which is very unusual because usually one or more of my daughters gives me paper, magazine subscriptions, etc.  But I do have lots of new things because I won several challenges and put in a couple orders from three stamp companies. So, I have new stamps, new tools, new paper.  It is always difficult for me to use up my scraps of paper and images that have been stamped or printed and not used.  Now it is down to sheer determination to use those up because I want to use my new things.  For this card I used a pre-colored digital image by Trudy Sjolander, a piece of old DP and then I just couldn't help myself - I used new paper too, Gina K heavy weight white and a piece of Echo Park Winter Park.

Aren't those blues gorgeous?
I used the sketch at Mojo Monday

Snowflakes cut out with Cuttlebug die.

Challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - something new
Digital Tuesday - layers
Timeless Tuesday - challenge 196, makes me feel happy
Craft4Eternity - something new
Designers Choice Challenge - make it snow
Simon Says - something new
Really Reasonable Ribbon - something new

Fun With New Stamps

So fun to receive packages by Fed Ex or UPS.  A package came yesterday - some new stamps by Gina K Designs.  I am in need of thank you cards and want to keep the winter theme going for awhile.  For this card I used images from the "Snow One Like You" set.  Sentiment is Verve. 

Sketch is Tuesday Morning Sketches

The black dots are Liquid Pearl.  As you can tell, I still need practice putting those on and getting them the same size. 
Image panel is backed with Kraft.  The main BG panel is an OLD piece of DP. 

Challenges:
Pile It On - embellishments
A Blog Named Hero - something new
Kraft Journal - something new
Timeless Tuesday - challenge 155
Designers Choice - snow
Craft 4 Eternity - something new
Simon Says - something new
Crafty Creations - anything

Winner of Blog Candy and a Reminder

Thank you for all your kind comments on my top ten OWH cards.  I hope that you will CASE them if you liked them  The important thing is to make cards.  I am putting together my first package of 2013 that I will be sending by January 25.  Remember postage rates go up the 27th which is a Sunday and since our post office is closed on Saturdays, I will be mailing by the 25th.

Since I pasted this pic on my blog, you can't click for more details.  Instead, go HERE.

And now for the winner of my blog candy:   SYBRINA   Congratulation.
Please email me your complete name and address at   mkdrain at gmail dot com and I will get the stamp and Bow Easy off to you the first of the week.

Thanks again to each of you who not only commented but more importantly thanks to all of you who support OWH.

Trying New Things in 2013

New techniques are intimidating to me.  But I am going to try more new things this year because I usually love the results after I have forced myself to do them.  And many of them aren't as hard as they look.   I am starting out easy with a treat box as shown on SpeedyTV. 

I found a piece of DP cardstock in my stash that had squares of colors.  Many of the squares  that were 2 x 2.  Since the dimensions for scoring were at 2 inches - perfect.  I cut out two hearts from the box then cut out two more hearts to add to the ribbon.  The colors actually blend a lot better IRL.
Now all I need is some Valentine candy.  I hope to make a few more to have ready by Valentine's Day  for grandchildren.

Blog Named Hero - something new
Timeless Tuesday - challenge 152
Crafty Creations - anything
Simon Says - new something
Speedy TV - box
Pile It On - embellishments

Ten Favorite Cards and Some Candy

Happy New Year Everyone.  So glad you are here to look at a few favorite cards that I sent to OWH this past year.  Last year, I chose ten Any Hero Cards.  This year, I went through my cards and chose a few favs that I thought you might enjoy.  Some of them using OWH digitals, some are Hero cards. Maybe some of them will give you some ideas to use.
So without any more chit chat, let's get to the cards:

Background paper is stamped with a BG stamp.

Idea: use up some scraps of paper and/or ribbon with a sketch like this one.

I used one of Sandy Allnock's State digital with this one. Find them HERE

Thanks to a Hero.  Stars are from Gina K set, "Stars"

Stamps by Unity/Ippity

I got this background idea at OWH .  HERE is a tutorial using scraps. Digital image is OWH

Image is Our Daily Bread Design.

This card won a Western Challenge by a fellow OWH supporter back in September.

Hearts are digital.  I love precolored digital images.  They make for easy, quick cards.

Poinsettia is Digital by Doodle Pantry

HERE  is where you can go to check out some more wonderful OWH cards.  Have fun.


Hope you enjoyed some of these.  Hope you picked up a few ideas.  Now to those of you who have made it to the end, there is one more goody - some blog candy.  If you would leave a comment and in your comment section mention that you would like to be in the drawing, that is all you have to do.  You do not have to be a follower but of course I would love to have you.
Here is what is in the blog candy:  New Unity  Stamp - great for OWH cards and a new Bow Easy.  I will draw a name Saturday. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR  and I hope that you will support OWH in 2013.