Life Is Better Together

 

          I made this card with items my husband got me for our anniversary which is tomorrow, March 26^th.  I just had to figure out how to get my hands on them BEFORE our anniversary.  The opportunity arose when the book he was getting for our anniversary arrived.  I had a bargaining tool, and I took advantage of it.  Oh, what I won’t do to get my hands on new Verve!  LOL  I’ll confess to him tomorrow when he opens this card for our anniversary!  I loved putting this card together.  I found this perfect patterned paper by Authentique and knew that it would make the perfect background.  Don’t the colors make you think of a warm sunny day with a deep & bright blue sky?  I wanted bright and airy and not feminine.  There are No flowers on this card and the other one I’m posting today.  Will wonders never cease?  LOL  This is another entry for the Viva la Verve March 2014 Challenge!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Better Together & More Than Love

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Bermuda Bay & Sahara Sand

·       Paper:  Authentique – Seasons “Summer One”; Stampin’ Up! – Sahara Sad, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight & Bermuda Bay

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  A Cut Above Dies by Verve – Wavy Hearts; Spellbinders – Classic Circles Large & Classic Scalloped Circles Large; Stampin’ Up! – Chalk Talk Framelits

I played around with the sentiment circle.  I tried stamping the arrow on the Very Vanilla CS but it never looked straight, and I must have straight!  So I stamped the arrows on Bermuda Bay CS with Bermuda Bay ink and cut them out by hand – are there dies out there that match  these arrows?  The heart shape from More Than Love SS was a perfect complement to the chevron paper.  I love the graphic feel to this very sunny feeling card.  My husband will be sure to see all the love I have for him in this card.  He is the love of my life!  Life is better together with you!  I love you, Thom!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and taking a look!  Let me know what you think if you are so inclined!

Many Blessings,
Donna

Sunny Grace For You

 

          Hello from the weather crazed North Carolina!  On Friday, we had a ½“of ice on top of sleet and snow, and since Friday, we’ve enjoyed temps in the 60s!  I’m thinking that the earth is in the birth pangs prior to the return of Jesus.  It certainly hasn’t been a normal NC winter, but signs of spring are everywhere!  When I saw the two March Diva Dare & Diva Inspirations Hop, I knew that I wanted to do a light, bright and cheery card with an uplifting scripture to inspire faith for all!

I will be using this card for entry into 3 challenges this month/week!  This is contest week over at MOJO Monday, so this is my submission for MOJO335 plus "Do The Polka", March Diva Dare and Spring Has Sprung Verve's March Diva Inspirations Hop.  One card = 3 entries!  Nice!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Surely Goodness & Scripture Medley 2  

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Raspberry Ripple and Stampin’ Write Markers in Pear Pizazz, Pistachio Pudding, Primrose Petals, & Raspberry Ripple; Versamark – Watermark Stamp Pad

·       Paper:  Echo Park – Everyday Eclectic 6x6 pad; Stampin’ Up! – In Color 2012-2014 DSP (ret.) & Whisper White, Blushing Bride, & Pistachio Pudding CS & Vellum

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Squared & Classic Scalloped Squares Large; A Cut Above Dies by Verve – Surely Goodness; Provocraft – Polka Dots EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Archiver’s – Shabby Pink EP; Stampin’ Up! – Jewels Basic Pearls Large   

My card is 4¼” by 5½” with a left side fold.  I embossed the flower and leaves with the Shabby Pink embossing powder (love the touches of gold) on vellum and colored in the flower with Stampin’ Write Markers – the flower in Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple and the leaves in the both greens.  The “For You” is a thank you single stamp that I got with my last order from Verve!  I took some liberties with the layout from MOJO335, but I think it works this way, too!  I did cut out a window in the large scalloped square and place the stamped sentiment behind it.  It is popped up off of the card base.

 Thanks for stopping by and hope you’ve enjoyed your visit.  Please feel free to leave me a comment!

Many Blessings,
Donna

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

Graphic Hearts for VLVFeb2014



 

          This maybe my last Valentine card for this year – we’ll see if it is or not!  After all the big day is tomorrow.  I hope people here in the Piedmont of NC did there thing for Valentine’s Day before Old Man Winter dumped about 8” of snow on us plus sleet and freezing rain.  A real mess that will refreeze and make early morning commutes miserable through early next week!  Ah, it is so nice to be retired!

          I needed a Valentine card for our son.  He’s a body builder so no frills allowed.  I decided to use the week 1 sketch from Viva la Verve challenge for this month.  I modified it a bit, but I still think you can tell that I used the sketch even though it is flipped around a bit!  I wanted a graphic masculine look so I embossed the DSP and the Smoky Slate (2” by 5¼”) with the Chevron EF before I cut it into 2 pieces.  I have a close up below of the DSP.  I chose it because it was simple yet carried my colors.  My card is 4¼” by 5½”.

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve  – More Than Love; Stampin’ Up! – Love Heart & Happy Valentine Heart (both single stamps and retired)

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Real Red & Smoky Slate

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – More Amore DSP(ret.); Very Vanilla, Real Red & Smoky Slate CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Rectangle & Classic Scalloped Rectangle large; Papertrey Ink – XL Rick Rack Border Die; Stampin’ Up! – Hearts Framelits & Chevron EF

Once I figured out the layout and what looked best given these papers, the card came together very quickly and will do fine for our son for this occasion!  I don’t know when we will next see him, but it should be soon once everyone can get around again.  I can’t put it in the mail; by the time he got home from work yesterday, someone had clipped his mailbox and left their car parked blocking his drive way.  We just aren’t used to this much snow.  The natives here panic when there is 2” on the road.  I grew up elsewhere so I know to stay off the roads because few can successfully navigate them!  J

Hope you and yours are warm and comfy at home out of the cold and snow/ice!  Happy Crafting Crafters of all kinds!  We can’t go out so we might as well play!  Thank you dear hubby for my craft room!  He’s such a blessing, and my craft room is my own little space to create!

Many Blessings,

Donna

                

The Perfect Valentine: God is Love

 

          It’s been a while since I’ve had time or felt like playing in my craft room.  The flu definitely got me behind and down for a while.  I’m feeling better now and hope to be putting the winter doldrums behind me.  With Valentine Day coming up it is time to start thinking about making something special for my family.  These are headed for my two beautiful daughters.  I hope that they don’t read this blog and ruin the surprise. :-)  I don’t always send them cards any more for Valentine’s but this year is special.  Last May Rachel received her Master’s Degree, and this May Rebecca will receive her Master’s Degree.  I’m so proud of both of them.  They are both beautiful young Christian women who seek to serve Him.  I just wanted to send them a note of encouragement and love especially from their mom!  My card is 4¼” by 5½” with a left side fold.

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – My Little Valentine (ret.) and Trust God

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Raspberry Ripple (sentiments) Primrose Petals (edges)

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals & Very Vanilla CS; The Paper Studio – Mirabella Plaid & Solid Glitter CS in Light Pink & Champagne

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Stampin’ Up! – Hearts Collection & Chalk Talk Framelits; Heartfelt Creations Decorative Dutch Iris Die; Spellbinders – Classic Circles Large/Standard & Classic Scalloped Circles Large   

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  iCraft – Easy-Cut Adhesive Sheets (double-sided); Prima Floral Embellishments; Stampin’ Up! – Brads Brights Collection (ret.) and Denim Ribbon Artichoke (ret.; ) & Basic Jewels Rhinestones; Recollections - Pearls

I ran across the patterned paper when I was at Hobby Lobby – love that place – when I was looking for glitter cardstock for another project which I was also able to use here for some additional glam & glitz.  I have quite a bit of burlap and wanted to make some embellishments with some double-sided adhesive sheets.  The patterned paper is light weight so I decided to add some texture with the burlap rather than by embossing it.  In the pictures of the two cards you can see that the burlap flourish is oriented differently and one is trimmed in rhinestones and one in pearls to reflect my girls’ personality.  This will be my first card in the Viva la Verve Challenge for this month.  I hope to get a few more cards made and entered before the 6^th.  We’ve had some snow here this week in central NC, so I’m going to be at home tomorrow and might as well get creative!

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look.  Please feel free to leave me a comment and sign up to follow me so that you’ll be notified when I post something new.  I am doing an On-line Bible Study from Proverbs 31 Ministry so there might be a few non-crafty posts from now until early March 2014.

Many Blessings,

Donna

PS:  Do you prefer pearls or rhinestones?

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

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

                                                                

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much with Viva la Verve

 

           As soon as I saw this sketch and saw the inspiration photo, I immediately thought fall.  I love the banner at the bottom of the sketch brought to mind my Hearts A Flutter stamps and dies from Stampin’ Up!  I knew they would be a perfect.  My husband and I drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia yesterday – yes it was misty and a bit too early for the best colors.  But it was pretty and mostly sunny by the time we had lunch in Blowing Rock, NC.  This was the best time for us to go since the rest of the month is super busy, so I was really in the mood to create a fall themed card.  The stamped sentiment goes well with my thoughts of my marriage to my husband.  It pretty much sums up our marriage!  He is my blessing, and my life is so special with him in it!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Lean On Me; Stampin’ Up! – Hearts A Flutter; Papertrey Ink – Summer Hills

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, & Marina Mist;  Memento – Rich Cocoa 

·       Paper:  Basic Grey – Pyrus “Callery”; Stampin’ Up! – Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie & More Mustard (retired) CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Verve – Pointed Flower Die; Spellbinders – Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Stampin’ Up! – Hearts A Flutter Framelits & Chevron EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Antique Brads & Jewels Basic Rhinestones; American Craft Ribbon

The colors from the inspiration photo just yelled FALL to me!  So I went back a ways to my stash of Basic Grey in my craft room!  Yes, I know it’s from the distant past, but what can I say?  Once it’s gone, it’s gone so I hoard it!  But I knew that these colors were good matches to the inspiration picture with a Basic Grey twist!  Once I had the papers all mapped out, the rest of the card came together.  I choose to go square at 5.5” rather than rectangle shape due to the large size of my pennants.  After stamping the pennants and flowers and die cutting them out, it was pretty much assembly time.  I like my Basic Grey Magnetic Precision mat for lining up items to make sure that they are straight when there are different items that need to be lined up!  I do wish that more of the BG patterned paper was visible, but take my word for it, the colors were there from the inspiration photo!  LOL!  One thing I did notice AFTER the pennants were pinned to the back of the embossed Always Artichoke CS, that the rounded corners were flipped from the sketch, but just take that as my “creative license”!

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look.  If you like what you see, please sign up to follow my blog so that you are notified when I post a new project!

Many Blessings,

Donna



Sending Blessings to a Friend

 

 

            A very good friend did a wonderful act of kindness for me last week and to thank her, I chose to do the first week’s sketch for the VLV October Sketch Challenge just for her!  Thank you so much dear friend!  I love this week’s sketch with its strong, clean lines so I decided to keep it that way with my choice of paper and embellishments.  KISS (Scrapper)!  I also decided to go with the fall colors for this week, too.  I just love Autumn!  I think it’s my favorite time of the year.  My husband and I are talking about planning our yearly day trip up to the NC mountains to see the leaves.  They think it’s going to be another wonderful year for fall color!

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Trust God

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Old Olive & Soft Suede

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Old Olive, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze & Very Vanilla CS; Bazzill – Gold??; The Paper Loft – Autumn Splendor Collection: Orchard & Candy Apple

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large; Stampin’ Up! – Woodgrain & Chevron EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Basic Jewels Rhinestones; Paper Studio – Maple Leaf Punch

This card is 5½” square.  The striped paper is 3.25” by 4.25”; Old Olive CS is 5” by 2”; Soft Suede CS is cut 1.75” by 4.75”.  After the measuring and embossing, it was just a matter of layering the pieces thought I did alter the order and put the Soft Suede on top of the Old Olive to showcase the woodgrain embossing.  I wanted an outdoorsy, tree feeling to the card to reinforce the tree theme in the patterned paper.  All of the pieces were distressed with Soft Suede.

          Thanks for stopping by to take a look at my card creation.  If you are so inclined, please leave me a comment.  They really make my day!

Many Blessings,

Donna

 

Enjoy Today with Viva la Verve

 

          I’m getting the 3^rd week’s card posted late – so what else is new since my only deadline is this week – the 4^th week’s card is done and will also be posted today!  Yeah!  I really love these challenges but I’m not so fond of the way that life gets in the way of my crafting!  LOL!!!  I’m really hoping that my entry is drawn as the winner this month as I sure could use some more Verve stamps!  Hint, hint to someone out there!  Christmas is only 3 months from today!  Hint, hint!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve –   Black Tie Birdies & Surely Goodness;  Heartfelt Creations – Bold Falling Leaves

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush & Pistachio Pudding

·       Paper:  Echo Park – Everything Eclectic 6x6 Pad; Stampin’ Up! – Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding & Pacific Point CS

·         Dies & Embossing folders:  A Cut Above Dies by Verve – Surely Goodness Die;  Heartfelt Creations – Bold Falling Leaves Die;  Spellbinders – Standard Circles Large;  Stampin’ Up! – Square Lattice EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – White Tea Lace Doily & Jewels Basic Pearl Large

My card today is 5.5” by 5.5” so that it can fit in the standard 6x6 envelope – it just makes it easier that way!  This stamp set is out of my comfort zone.  If you scroll through my blog you will see that most of my subjects are either floral/nature or verses for my focal point.  These little birds were cute and were on sale when I made my first Verve purchase, so…  After deciding to use the birds, I came across this patterned paper of hot air balloons and thought that they worked together well.  I matched up my patterned paper to my growing stash of Stampin’ Up! cs and the rest of the card just kinda came together.  I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on VLV week 3 sketch.  The sketch is below for your comparison.

          I love hearing your comments and have been very encouraged by those lately.  My family always loves my cards – but they “have to”, so your comments always are cherished!

Many Blessings,

Donna