Strength In The Garden

I was thinking about the writing for this blog post a few minutes ago and decided that this was the title I wanted to give it.  I then thought about my father’s favorite hymn, the Garden of Prayer.  I remember coming home from high school and playing the piano and singing for him during a long recuperation from a serious heart attack.  It’s been 35 years since he moved on to his heavenly home, but I think my dad would tell me that true strength comes from prayer.  I think that this one is for your, Dad!  I love you and miss you and Mom both so very much.

As you may know from some of my precious posts, I am doing the card ministry for my church.  I send out the cards from our church to members when there is sickness or death in their families.  Since I know the people, I find myself personalizing the cards and try to find a good scripture for each card.  We’ve had quite a few over the last several weeks, so I’ve been continuing to look for a quick and easy yet beautiful ways to get some cards done!  I think that I may have hit one it through Simply Simple Stamping and a friend’s idea for making my own patterned paper!

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Secret Garden and Thoughts & Prayers; Our Daily Bread Designs – Scripture Collection 1

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, Pear Pizazz, So Saffron, and Coastal Cabana

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Very Vanilla, So Saffron & Pear Pizazz CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Stampin’ Up! – Square Lattice & Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folders

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Brights collection buttons(ret.), Linen Thread and Antique Brads; Hobby Lobby – wired burlap ribbon; Petaloo – Mulberry Street Vintage Victorian Color Assortment

I started out by stamping my own patterned paper using all of the ink colors above and used all of the stamps in the Secret Garden stamp set.  I used ink pads because I think that I can tailor my card needs using these colors .  I may do something with purples for sympathy cards later, but for now, these will do.  I then cut up my “new” patterned paper using the “flashcards” that I’ve tried from Simply Simple Stamping in previous posts.  I need something that will come together quickly and easily and can also personalize.  I did add some wide wired burlap ribbon behind my floral paper some added texture and interest.  For the 3 cards I needed for illness in our church family, I personalized it by using the Pear Pizazz for the men and So Saffron for the lady.  I also added a different touch by the use of embossing folders.

I hope you like my ideas for quick and easy cards that still have style!  You can go to the website and get all the information about how to have an array for card ideas ready to go in a “flash”!  Until next time, be blessed in all that you do!

Many Blessings,

Donna

 

Secret Garden Patterned Paper

Delightful MOJO316

 

           I just knew that I had to use the Burlap Ribbon that I picked up at our new Hobby Lobby – it’s less than 2.5 miles from our home.  That’s a dangerous location for me!  LOL!  Because the ribbon is so wide I played with the sketch and decided to square it up!  It’s 5.5” squared so it will fit inside a 6x6 envelope.

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Plain Jane Psalm 37:4

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! - Soft Suede

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Venetian Romance DSP, Tangerine Tango, Soft Suede & Pistachio Pudding CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Stampin’ Up! – Lacy Brocade EF; Spellbinders – Beaded Circles & Classic Scalloped Squares   

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Robert Stanley Collection for Hobby Lobby – Burlap Wire Edged Ribbon; Prima Flowers from stash; American Crafts - Ribbon

This is a straight forward design once I figured out the elements on the “page”.  I played with the size here and there and ended up with the circle and square about the same size so I beefed it up with an embossed mat for the sentiment.  I did not have ribbon that really made a statement so I looked first to a large round button to sub for the bow.  I ended up using the Prima Flower that I dug out of my stash.  This is ready to go whenever I need a card to encourage a friend.  When we delight in Him, He does give us the desires of our heart because our focus is so much on Him that what we want lines up with His best for us!

Many Blessings,

Donna