Masculine Spring Birthday

My husband has a late April Birthday so when it came around this year, I wanted to incorporate some of the lovely spring green with a mountain theme.  We prefer the mountains over the beach.  I remembered this Heartfelt Creations image I bought a while ago and it seemed the perfect fit.  I stamped it and went to coloring with my Copics!  I also used a new embossing folder from WeRMemoryKeepers.  I had seen this particular basket weave one on a blog, and since I used to sell Longaberger Baskets in another life, I just couldn’t resist. These Next Level EF are the best - they are so rich in texture!  I used the MFT Plaid Patterns paper to break up all of the detail from the embossing folders!  I liked how it turned out! 

• ·         Stamp set(s):  HFC-Mystic Hideaway
• ·         Ink(s):  Memento Tuxedo Black
• ·         Paper:  MFT- Plain Patterns 6x6 Paper Pack; X-Press It Blending Card;      SU-Hello Honey & Gumball Green(ret.)                           
• ·         Dies & Embossing Folders:  PTI-Limitless Layers 3.5” Ovals Dies; Cottage Cutz-Happy & Birthday
• ·         Embellishments/Other things of note:  Copic Markers(picture),  Zva Creative Crystals & WRMK Woven EF

 

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!  Oh, the embossing folders from WRMK are newer; and I couldn’t find them locally, so I contacted Tupelo Designs, LLC.  They found it for me, and I now have 2 Woven folders.  They were only $9.99 for 2 6x6” folders!  They have them in stock on their website now!  Just a plug for a newer company!

Many Blessings,

Donna

Prayer Collage

           I have long been wanting to do a card using Crumb Cake cs that has embossed images done in white and then colored with markers.  The effect of this technique has always been stunning when I’ve seen it used, so this is my take on this technique.  I heat embossed on the Crumb Cake CS and then colored with Stampin’ Write Markers.  I chose a Heartfelt Creations stamp that has scripture (Romans 8:28) in the background of the image.  It’s hard to make out because my Versa Mark pad was needing refreshing, but it turned out really good and adds texture to the card front.  My card is a little bigger than the A2 size – 4.25”x 5.5” – so that I could use as much of the stamped image as possible.  It is approximately 4.5” x 5.5”.  Because of the rich detail from the embossing, I didn’t feel the need to at another layer other than with the sentiment.

·       Stamp set(s):  Heartfelt Creations – Tattered Collage; Stampin’ Up! – Thoughts & Prayers

·       Ink(s):  Versamark – Water Mark Stamp Pad; Stampin’ Up! – Old Olive with Stampin’ Write Markers in Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Crumb Cake & Old Olive CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Ovals & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Archiver’s – Shabby White Embossing Powder

I chose to use the chunkier, Shabby White EP to add more texture than regular embossing powder and to add some sparkle to dress up the card.  There is something about the bling that just does it for me!  I decided that the card front alone with the embossed image was really all I needed to make a stunning card.  The rich colors of the flowers were given more depth from coloring on the Crumb Cake CS.  I was well please with my experimentation using these elements to make a design pop off the paper.   It will be a well-used by me and go to for a quick card in my repertoire!

As always, thank you for taking the time to drop by my home in the blogosphere!  I do appreciate you!  Please feel free to leave me a comment and be sure to sign up to follow me!

Many Blessings,

Donna

 

 

O Holy Night Sparkles

 

 

           As promised, here is the "rest of the story"!  As soon as I saw Dynamic Duos’ colors for this week (ending today), I knew that I would be going back to the colors that I used for the last week of Verve’s November challenge!  It looks like the Christmas cards for this year are taking on a theme, but what a beautiful theme it is if I do say so myself.  Just a few changes and viola here is a new gorgeous card!  I really love how the Shabby Chic Lace stamp from Heartfelt Creations reminds me of the arch of a cathedral stained glass windows.  It pairs well with the Shepherd Scene stamped image.

·       Stamp set(s):  Heartfelt Creations Shabby Chic Lace & Shepherd Scene 

·       Ink(s):  Versamark – Watermark Stamp Pad; Viva 3D Stamp Paint – Silver

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Glimmer Paper Silver & Midnight Muse CS 

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Lifestyle Crafts – Nesting Ovals; Provocraft – Kassie’s Brocade Embossing Folder

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Jewels Basic Rhinestones and Jewels Basic Rhinestones Large;  Zing – Silver Metallic Finish embossing powder; Hobby Lobby – Silver Ribbon

My card this time is a bit on the odd size – 6½” by 4¾” so that the card front would be completely embossed by the Kassie’s Brocade EF.  It’s really frustrating that some of my old EF are not a true 5” by 7”.  But that is one thing I will be looking for in the future.  With the size of my focal image and the MOJO 322 sketch, I upsized the card originally to 5” by 7” until I tried embossing the card front.  But, it turned out beautifully.  I love the way that Viva 3D Stamp-Paint shows up on the embossed card front to add depth and dimension to my card.

 Thank you for stopping by my blog to take a look at this card and my thoughts about it.  I really appreciate your time.  Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think and if you are so inclined, please join my sight and become a member so that you’ll be notified of new posts!

Many Blessings,

Donna

  

Are You Wise?

 



           I absolutely love it when I catch a mental lapse before it’s too late.  I meant to emboss the card front and forgot to do it as I often do, but I was able to pop off the top layers of the card and emboss the card front and then add some silver 3D Stamp Paint to bring out the patterned created.  It really does step up the card’s design.  It also adds to the silver theme I have in the elements of each design piece!  I added an extra layer to the sketch to make the stamped lace layer really pop!  I also decided against ribbon or silver thread from the sketch.  I didn’t want to overdo it!  I added a few rhinestones here and there for accent and to draw the viewer’s eye across the card front.

·       Stamp set(s):  Heartfelt Creations Shabby Chic Lace & Wisemen Ornament

·       Ink(s):  Versamark – Watermark Stamp Pad; Viva 3D Stamp Paint – Silver

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Glimmer Paper Silver & Midnight Muse CS 

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – 2011 Heirloom Ornaments, Classic Ovals Large, Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Stampin’ Up! – Vintage Wallpaper EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Zing – Silver Metallic Finish embossing powder

All together the simple elements of this design, really came together well.  It’s simple with its two colors, but the silver really makes the card stand out.  I love the zing the Glimmer Paper adds to the card while also adding texture.  I added the John 3:16 scripture stamp from the same stamp set on the inside – silver ink pad with clear embossing powder to fix the ink.  I now have a special Christmas card to send to a loved one this year.  Be safe where ever your travels take you this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  I hope that you are wise, too, and take the sentiment to heart this year as well if you don’t already know Him!

Many Blessings,

Donna

It Is Well With My Soul

 

          Ah, what a beautiful hymn.  It always reminds me that the man who wrote this hymn wrote it over the place in the Atlantic Ocean where his daughters were lost at sea during a storm, yet he could say that “it is well with my soul”.  This is also one of my husband’s favorite hymns.  Help me Lord to say that it is well with my soul even during the storms of this life.  Help me to continue to build a strong foundation where I can turn to You as my loving Poppa in every situation.

          Enough said!  I finished this card yesterday, but wanted to get my MOJO 318 card posted and saved this one for today.  Two cards in 2 days – a little bit of a personal miracle!  I have been busy working trade shows and taking a class at my local store, the Enchanted Cottage which is where I picked up this background stamp and scripture.  Our Daily Bread Designs taught classes there on October 26 that a good friend Nancy & I took together.  When I saw this hymn in a stamp, I knew I would be getting it – a true no brainer for my card ministry!  I still haven’t told Thom the amount of my purchase yet!  The scripture sentiment is part of the scriptures that Pastor Jim Reklis of Grace Church in Chapel Hill, NC used in our wedding ceremony in 2005.  The Lord’s mercies are new every morning.  Thank you Lord for Thom!

          I used the Viva la Verve November, Week 1 sketch.  You can see it below.  I did modify the sketch.  It didn’t want to cover up the name of the hymn with my ribbon so I switched sides.  I made the horizontal strip wider so that the fall trees and leaf paper were more visible.  I’m so enjoying the cooler fall weather.  My card is 4¼” by 5½”.  

·       Stamp set(s):  Our Daily Bread Designs – It Is Well With My Soul & Scripture Collection 1;  Heartfelt Creations – Open Fall Leaves

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Early Espresso & Cajun Craze; Glimmer Mist – Iridescent Gold

·       Paper:  The Paper Loft – Autumn Splendor’s Orchard; Stampin’ Up! – Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cajun Craze & Crushed Curry CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Labels 1; Heartfelt Creations – Falling Leaves Die;

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Antique Brads; Martha Stewart – Doily Lace Edge Punch; American Crafts - Ribbon

My card is straight forward after getting the cardstock and patterned paper the way I wanted them.  I also added the Glimmer Mist to the card after I had it all together.  The shimmer makes me think of those fall mornings when the frost makes everything just shimmer in the sunshine.  The wetness made the paper roll slightly but it just helps give my card a weathered feel that paper can get over time from moisture.  I might have gotten carried away with the Glimmer Mist – LOL – it’s been a while since I used it!

I so appreciate your stopping by my blog.  I was long-winded today but I had so much I wanted to share with you, my reader.  Please join my sight and become one of my followers.  I’m thinking about looking into some design teams next year and know that some companies look at followers when deciding about design team finalists.

Many Blessings,

Donna



 

 

 

For You On Your Birthday with MOJO 315

 

           Why is it when it’s a really important card, and you’ve got a really good idea how to use the MOJO sketch that things just are more difficult than usual?  It is our daughter’s 30^th birthday day tomorrow.  I wanted a really special card for her and this one was just a struggle.  In fact, there will be pictures of 2 cards because I did one and still wasn’t satisfied with it, so I started another one.  Both cards are 4¼” by 5½” with a left hand fold.  I knew I wanted to do the Eiffel Tower this year since our daughter & her husband had loved being in Paris while they were in Europe at the end of the summer, so I set forth to create!!!!

For You Card

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Artistic Etching, Apothecary Art & Vintage Verses (SAB2013, retired)

·       Ink(s):  Versamark Watermark Stamp Pad

·       Paper:  Best Creations – unknown name; Stampin’ Up! – River Rock (retired) & Very Vanilla CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Stampin’ Up! – Labels Framelits; Spellbinders – Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Heartfelt Creations – Decorative Lace Border

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Zing – Glitter Finish Black EP; Basic Grey – Black velvet ric rac; Kaiser Craft – Sparklets Ebony

As I began work on this card, I went to my Scrap Rack to look for some fall themed papers for this card and ran across these Best Creations papers. I liked the black in them and the stripes had a rich touch to it with the black velvet stripes.  I wanted a more sophisticated look as my little girl is not a little girl anymore at 30.  Black is so classy and elegant so I selected these papers and went about the process of pulling it all together from items that I had on hand.  I did have to borrow the Eiffel Tower ss from a good friend and paper crafter co-conspirator!  (Thank you, Sandi!)  I just wasn’t satisfied with my effort last night – maybe I was just too tired to think straight!

When I went back to my craft room this morning, I started on the 2^nd card below using Perfect Pearls Medium.  It’s the same size as the first.  I did go by our new Hobby Lobby – just a bit over 2 miles from our home – and found on clearance no less, the Tim Holtz Eiffel Tower Bigz Die which I snapped right up and ran home and began to work on the 2^nd card also using the MOJO 315 sketch.  I took a few more liberties with the sketch on this one.

Happiest Birthday Card

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Apothecary Art; Heartfelt Creations – Bold Falling Leaves

·       Ink(s):  Versamark Watermark Pad – Ranger – Perfect Pearls & Perfect Medium

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Basic Black, Crushed Curry & Very Vanilla CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  LifestyleCrafts – Nesting Ovals; Stampin’ Up! – Fancy Fans EF; Sizzix – Tim Holtz Fleur de lis & Eiffel Tower    

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Zing – Glitter Finish Black EP; Kaiser Craft – Sparklets Ebony; Stampin’ Up! – Jewels Basic Rhinestones

Rachel’s birthday always makes me think of clear, crisp, cool nights and beautiful fall leave colors.  It’s usually about peak time for fall color up in the mountains so I wanted to do fall leaves with a bit of shimmer.  I actually haven’t used Perfect Pearls before on any project so I followed directions and off we went.  While I liked the effect of the leaves metallic shine, I think I chose too bold of a color for the background paper with the Crushed Curry cs, but it was a fun experiment.  I like Perfect Pearls and will play with them again soon!

                Thanks for stopping by!  Oh, I chose the first card to give to Rachel.  It just looked more like my beautiful girl!

Many Blessings,

Donna

                                                                

The Reason for the Season & MOJO 314

 

           For whatever reason, I had trouble getting my head around this sketch.  I played and played with the colors.  (There is a close up of the top part of the card that shows a green diagonal stripe to explain the green circle that jumps off the card!) even took it apart and redid some of it after I realized that I forgot to emboss the green circle.  Go figure where my head is!  For some reason, I had my heart set on doing a Christmas Card.  I looked through a lot of my stash of papers – ever the paper hoarder – and ended up with a Stampin’ Up! DSP.  I have a Heartfelt Creations Christmas Paper Pad that I completely forgot about until right now!  Donna, ya’ gotta’ get your act together, girl!  Anyway, this is my offering for MOJO contest week.  Perhaps not my best, but not as bad as I thought it would be at first.  I think the gold ribbon with the embossed flower that is supposed to be a poinsettia instead of lilies added a nice touch to it!

·       Stamp set(s):  Heartfelt Creations – Pristine Lilies & Shepherd Scene

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Cherry Cobbler; Versamark – Watermark Stamp Pad

·       Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green & Very Vanilla CS; Festival of Lights DSP Stack(retired) & Be of Good Cheer DSP

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Heartfelt Creations – Cross & Lilies die; Spellbinders – Classic Scalloped Circles & Lattice Rectangle; Provocraft – Snowflake EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Ribbon – Stash; Zing – Embossing Powder Gold with Glitter Finish; stipple brush; Pop – Up Glue Dots

This card measures 4¼ by 5½ inches with a left hand fold.  One of the reasons that I went back to these papers is for the Cherry Cobbler inks and papers.  This is Stampin’ Up!’s best red in my book.  I love this red, and this is such a deep elegant color from the Regal Collection.  I thought about going red on red with this one – and I may make this card later with a Cherry Cobbler circle, but today it’s Gumball Green.  The thing that I did differently with this card was my use of a stippling brush on the sentiment rectangle rather than matting it.  I thought that would be too much going on in that corner.  I’m also glad that I choose stripes for this card, too!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  I love hearing from you and would like to encourage you to join my blog if you enjoy my offerings.  That’s it for now!

Many Blessings,

Donna



 

Falling for MOJO Monday 312

 

If you are coming here from MOJO Monday 312, I had a DUH!!! Moment and posted the inside of one of the cards!  So sorry, but I didn't know how to remove the pic!  :-( 

          

          It’s really beginning to feel like fall around Central North Carolina so my thoughts have been turning to fall colors!  My husband and I love to head to the mountains this time of year to see the fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so with our son having a birthday today and the need for a special card to send some friends, I headed right for my Heartfelt Creations Falling Leaves set.

·       Stamp set(s):  Heartfelt Creations – Falling Leaves & Pumpkin/Autumn Vines; Stampin’ Up! – Blooming with Kindness & Word Play; Papertrey Ink – Wonderful Words - Memories

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie & Cajun Craze

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Core’dinations Early Espresso CS; Early Espresso & Pumpkin Pie CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Pumpkin Nestabilities; Stampin’ Up! – Woodgrain EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Jewels Basic Rhinestones; American Crafts Ribbon

My card is 5½” by 4¼”.  I stamped the “background patterned paper” using the maple leave shaped stamp starting with the Crushed Curry inkpad.  I cut out the 2 strips of Core’dination Early Espresso and ran them through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain EF and then distressed them with Stampin’ Up!’s sanding blocks to bring out the woodgrain pattern.  I chose to run the strips of ribbon along the horizontal axis instead of vertically.  It looked too busy with the ribbon on the vertical axis – besides, I wanted to showcase the lovely fall colored leaves.  The inside panel of each card is below along with the MOJO Sketch for this week for you to compare my take on the sketch.  These cards have a masculine feel to them as the recipients are males – our son and an old high school and college friend of my husband’s and his wife, but would be great cards for anyone especially during the fall.

Thanks for taking a minute and taking a look at my card creations.  Please leave me a thought or comment if you are so inspired.  I love hearing from my visitors!

Many Blessings,

Donna