Winter Princess Smiles

             My granddaughter, Malin, LOVES Elsa from Disney’s Frozen movie.  I was on the internet and found this stamp set on Instagram I think.  I knew I had to have it.  Since it’s a digital stamp from Isabel Cristina Stamps, I had immediate access to it and here’s the card I made using MOJO Monday Sketch #507! (Julee, I’m so glad you brought this back!  I’ve missed it!)  I’m very happy with the outcome, and I think Malin will love having an Elsa card to go with her Frozen Power Wheels!  You should see her drive – check my Instagram account (dloates2005) for a video of her doing just that in her yard!

·      Stamp set(s):  Isabel Cristina Stamps – Winter Princess; Verve – Love Notes SS (ret.)  

·      Ink(s):  PTI – Aqua Mist; Versafine Clair – Nocturne; Copic Markers – BG10, 11, 13, 15; Y13, 15, 18; E0000, 00, 01; C00; & Colorless Blender

·      Paper:  PTI – Aqua Mist, Aqua Mist Pattern Pack & Stampers Select White(card base);  Doodlebug – Lily White Sugar Coated CS; X-Press It Blending Card

·      Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Standard Circles Large & Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles; Verve – Starry Die & Leafy Sprig Die; MFT – Stitched Fishtail Flags & Inside/Out Stitched Square STAX Die

·      Embellishments/Other things of note:  Wink of Stella Clear; Pentel – Sunburst Metallic Silver Pen 

It’s so good to be doing a sketch challenge again. Now that my craftroom is back and ORGANIZED with my new DreamBox, I hope to have more MOJO – yes that’s an intended pun – and get more going on in my craftroom as I look to start a cardmaking enterprise soon.  We are getting ready to move this spring, so I’m not sure when that will be happening, but we will see.  Praying all goes smoothly with the sale of our townhome here and just the perfect place in the Greenville, SC area.  Thank you for stopping by! I’d love to hear your thoughts about my creations I post here, too!

Many Blessings,

Donna

Fall Birthday Card for Guys

     It's been too long since a post, but I do want to try to do this blog thing again.  I've done several cards but didn't get around to posting,...  I used Latte Love, a Verve digi file for this card.  It's for my son's birthday tomorrow so there is no sparkle on it except for the lone sequin (PrettyPinkPosh) to dot the "i" in birthday.  Those little dots in the dies are just to hard to use sometimes!  :-)  I colored the image with Stampin' Write markers in Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadow & Hello Honey after printing it on SU Sahara Sand CS.  I used some SU White Chalk Ink to color the "lid" of the cup.  The leaves from Heartfelt Creations were stamped in Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Hello Honey from SU and cut out with the matching dies.  I used MFT die to cut out a piece of Lawn Fawn's Perfectly Plaid 6x6 paper pack - I liked the diagonal interest it added!  The card elements are mounted on a piece of MFT Primitive Cream CS with the front embossed with Darice's Chicken Wire EF.  For those of you who know me, I did fussy cut the coffee cup.  I prefer dies but with a digi image...  Ah, what we do for the sake of our art, right???  Three of SU's Candy Dots in Pumpkin Pie added a bit of interest at the top.  I triple cut the "happy birthday" sentiment from MFT and layered them so that the die cut had some strength to it as the paper was thin!

     That's it for now!  I'm hoping that you like my offering for the 2016 Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop though this post isn't linked to it - just my Instagram post, but I am linking this to Splitcoaststampers.

Many Fall Blessings to you and yours!
Donna

Rejoicing

 

          This was not a card that came easily for me for some reason or another.  This is my second attempt – I threw the other one away as I felt like I was trying to force it!  Believe it or not, I actually recycled the patterned paper.  It was too old, and I was trying to force the colors from this week’s Color Challenge.  I did take a little liberty with the “green” from the color challenge and used this blue/green color, Bermuda Bay from Stampin' Up!  The patterned paper was from a prize package I won in a contest over at the Papercraft Magazine website.  What was funny about that prize package is that I’d already gotten the 6x6 pad from the same collection – must have been destiny that I won!  LOL

          I am working on a card for my card ministry for my church and needed a “get well” card.  This lovely lady has had both strains of the flu this year.  She deserved a special card!  I think that I succeeded with this one!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve Stamps – Plain Jane Zephaniah 3:17 & Flourish (Thank you for Verve Purchase

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Bermuda Bay, Primrose Petals & Smoky Slate (edge of pattern paper); Memento – Rich Cocoa; Ranger – Antique Linen Distress Ink (doily)

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Smoky Slate & Bermuda Bay CS; Crate Paper – Elizabeth Kate

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Scalloped Circles Large & Blossom 2 

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Tree House Studio – Sequins; American Craft – ribbons; Stampin’ Up! – White Tea Lace Paper Doilies & Antique Brads

I took the white paper doily and distressed it with the Antique Linen ink using a dauber to get the color mellowed.  One of the hardest things I did – and still isn’t where I’d like it to be was the stamping of the sentiment.  I experimented with several inks and inked up some pristine cardstock trying to get the sentiment stamped.  The combination of paper and juicy ink pads just wasn’t doing it for me.  The best images were achieved using the Memento Rich Cocoa so that is what you are seeing here.  I chose to use ribbon for a more feminine touch for the angled feature in the top 1/3 of the sketch and bottom feature.  After assembling the card, I randomly placed some silver and gold sequins around the card front to add some interest and sparkle!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  Let me know what you think of this creation if you’d like.  I love hearing from you!  Your kind and generous comments are so encouraging and deeply appreciated.

Many Blessings,

Donna

Scripture Perk-Up!

          I love yellow and black together so when I saw that Dynamic Duos colors for this past week were Basic Black and Daffodil Delight I wanted to play along while making some cards for my church card ministry.  Unfortunately, we had a family emergency this week and it just didn’t get done in time.  I like how this one turned out.  These colors are so graphic together.   I am entering this card over at Verve Stamps Diva Dare “Perk Up” for February 2014.  It is going to be in time for it! J  I am also starting to post to a Faith-Based Challenge on Splitcoaststampers called Divine Design Bible Verse Challenge 2014.  Love this Verve Scripture stamp!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Scripture Medley 2 & Scroll; Our Daily Bread Designs – Sweet William Small; Stampin’ Up! – Thoughts & Prayers and Mixed Bunch

·       Ink(s):  Memento – Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ Up! – Daffodil Delights

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Whisper White, Basic Black & Daffodil Delight

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  A Cut Above Dies by Verve – Scroll; Spellbinders – Classic Rectangles Large; Stampin’ Up! – Elegant Lines EF (ret.)

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up!  - Blossom Punch, Jewels Basic Rhinestones; Kaisercraft – Ebony Sparklets  

          The card came together very quickly once I got started on it and chose this wonderful and encouraging scripture, Psalm 3:3.  I wanted to encourage a friend from church who has several family losses over the last couple of years and now a sick grandchild in the hospital with a very serious respiratory virus.  What a perfect scripture/sentiment for this purpose!  This is also a good scripture to remember when you are in the midst of the storm like my husband and I have been this past week!  Lift up my head, oh, Lord, that I might see your deliverance!

Many Blessings,

Donna

Sweetest Gift

 

           Hi, there bloggers!  This is my first post of 2014.  I’m off to a slow start.  I think the Christmas Holidays took all of my mojo!  It took a mojo to get me back in the swing of things.  Since I was in need of a baby shower card for my lovely step-daughter that I helped to raise, I decided to go with blue since we are welcoming next month a cute little boy to be named Mason.  I used the MOJO327 sketch and will be posting this card there as well as the Verve's January 2014 Diva Dare - Smitten and Verve's January Diva Inspirations Hop - Shimmer & Shine! Don't you love Shimmer & Shine and Smitten?

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up – Sweetest Gift; Verve – Surely Goodness; Our Daily Bread Designs – Gingham Background

·       Ink(s):  Stampin' Up! - Marina Mist 

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up – Marina Mist & Whisper White CS; the Paper Studio – Solid Glitter Light Blue

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Rectangles Large  

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Fiskars – Heart Punches

I didn’t have any baby shower type of paper so I decided to make my own.  I stamped off the cute little stork from the Sweetest Gift SS to get the two colors of storks and then stamped the ODBD Gingham Background.  Gingham is so perfect in blue this time for a soft baby look.  I was looking for a scripture stamp to use for the focal of this card and choose this particular one.  What a special scripture to pray over the soon to be mother of three and her newborn baby.  We all need the Lord’s goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives.

I want to wish all of my readers a very “Happy New Year” and pray the Lord’s blessings over you and your family.  I hope that this year is a truly crafty year for you and may you get inspiration for a wonderful year of raising spirits and creating and maintaining memories for you and your family!

Many Blessings,

Donna



Winter Frost

 

          Well, this is a first for me.  I’m submitting this card in 3 challenges this time.  I’m doing the usual MOJO 319 weekly challenge, but I’m adding Dynamics Duo #78 weekly challenge (check them out at: http://thedynamicduoschallenge.blogspot.com/), and my first Verve’s Diva Dare (http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-diva-dare-day-1.html).  The theme this month is “Shape Up” using common shapes.  I agree with one of the Divas that the MOJO 319 sketch was perfect.

          When I saw the Dynamic Duos Challenge colors for this week, I immediately thought of SU’s “Lovely as a Tree”.  Those colors are perfect for a tree with a rustic or distressed feel.  I played around a little with it and used stamping off to add some depth to the trees but I also wanted to give it a misty & glimmer effect like a winter’s morning when the sun is burning off the frost on the trees.  I sponged some Crumb Cake ink around the sun (Inka Gold) that I had masked off and added the 3D Paint in silver.  The picture (that I had to take at night) doesn’t do the card’s shimmery effects justice.  I think it turned out really well for what I was trying to do.

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – Lean On Me; Stampin’ Up! – Lovely As A Tree

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla CS; VIVA Décor – Inka Gold, gold (sun) & 3D Stamp Paint, silver (frost)

·       Paper:  The Paper Loft – Scattered Pine Mountain’s Fawn Lake Forest, Cedar Run & Scrub Oak Valley papers; Stampin’ Up! – Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke & Very Vanilla CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  MFT – Die-namics Washi Tape; Spellbinders – Standard Circles Large & Classic Scalloped Circles Large;  ProvoCraft – Polka Dot EF; Stampin’ Up! – Square Lattice EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Jewels Basic Rhinestones

          My card is 4¼” by 5½” with a top fold this time.  I embossed the card front and background rectangle with the Lattice Square EF & used the Polka Dot EF on the scalloped mats for the focal image and the sentiment.  All of the raised elements on the card were sponged with the 3D Stamp Paint to reinforce the shimmery effects of my “frosty morning”.  My final touches were the rhinestones on the sentiment and the 3 corners of the rectangle background.

          Thanks so much for stopping by to get the details on my card.  I really appreciate you, my readers.  Please feel free to leave me a message!  I love hearing from you!

Many Blessings,

Donna



 



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



Announcement

          I got a lovely and encouraging comment on my photo posted on Split Coast Stampers from the Verve Girl about this card from week 1's sketch.  When I went on Pinterest last night, I saw that she had pinned this card to one of their Pinterest Boards for customers work.  Rejoice with me, please!  It is so nice to be noticed by others outside my circle of friends and especially by one of my favorite companies!

          Thank you Verve Stamps for the recognition!

Many Blessings,

Donna

Surely Goodness and Mercy...

          I am a big fan of stamps that have a meaning deeper than just creating an attractive image.  Verve Stamps is a company that has some really beautiful stamps and sentiments in particular that meet my need for stamping products that go deeper than “just a pretty image” to paraphrase a saying!  This card layout is from the Viva la Verve Sketch Challenge, September 2013 Week 1.  I played around with some new paper that I ordered from PeachyCheap.com – a really great place to check out.  Their daily deals are awesome.  You can get them to your FB feed by liking their page!  The Viva la Verve Week 1 Sketch is below so that you can compare the sketch to my take on it!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve Stamps – Surely Goodness SS

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, & Elegant Eggplant; Color Box Chalk Ink – Olive Pastel; Versamark Watermark Pad

·       Paper:  My Mind’s Eye (MME) – Fiddlesticks “You & Me” Bloom & Lucky Tapestry Papers; Stampin’ Up! – Wild Wasabi, Smoky Slate, & Very Vanilla CS; and Vellum papers

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Verve A Cut Above Dies – Surely Goodness;  Stampin’ Up! – Sizzlits Large Paper Doily & Edgelits Large Scallop; Heartfelt Creations – Classic Leaf Die;  Spellbinders – Lattice Rectangles

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  MME – Cut & Paste Charm Smile Enamel Dots; Zing Embossing Powder White

          It took me a while for make this card come together.  I played with different colors of cs for the doily.  I knew I wanted to use a doily for the circle in the sketch, but I didn’t get it to work with the other elements I was using until I rotated the sketch clockwise ¼ turn.  Then for some reason the color selection came easier.  Go figure – maybe a brain glitch until the layout was “right” for what I wanted to do?  I did learn something important.  I need to invest in more of SU markers.  I used blender pens to color the vellum for the stained glass effect on the flower.  Bad idea!  Too much moisture makes the paper curl after it is colored and dries!   (I had to back it with some Very Vanilla CS, and it still wants to curl up!)  Just adding to my wish list!  LOL!  I also played with the placement of the element on the lower right of the focus/sentiment area in the sketch.  The large scallop border below the yellow gingham check on my card was my solution.  I liked how it turned out.

I was really pleased with the overall softness of the card.  It has a bit of an aged look and is pleasing to my eye.  I hope that you like it as well.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!  I love hearing from my visitors!

Many Blessings,

Donna

MOJO Monday 309

 

 

          We’ve had a busy week around the house.  I’ve been trying to get to two sketch challenges – this one is the 2^nd one I’ve been working on but it has the earlier deadline, so you’ll get to see this one first.  I often combine cards that I need with sketches and blogs that I follow, and that is the case with this card.  Another friend from church has had his father pass away very suddenly this past week so I needed another sympathy card.  I tried to go masculine this time and used the brown/neutral family, but I wanted a pop of color to brighten it a bit and butterflies and a yellow flower just seem to be just what I wanted to do here.  Yellow for me reminds me of sunshine and therefore I also think about the Son of God who gives those who believe hope beyond this earthly realm.

·       Stamp Set(s):  Verve Stamps – Psalm 121:2;  Stampin’ Up! – Lovely As A Tree & Thoughts & Prayers (Inside)

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Soft Suede & Daffodil Delight Reinker

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Comfort Café DSP (retired), Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, & Daffodil Delight CS 

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Lattice Rectangles; Stampin’ Up! – Embosslits Beautiful Wings & Fancy Fan Embossing Folder   

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Jewels Basic Rhinestones & Simply Pressed Clay & Molds; American Crafts - Ribbon

The card measure 5.5” by 4.25”.  I used the Fancy Fan EF on the card base, as well as both patterned papers.  With such a monochromatic color scheme for the main card elements, I wanted to make sure that texture added some interest to the card.  That Fancy Fan EF is one of my favorites, and it sort of mimicked the pattern of the base patterned paper layer. 

I used the MOJO Monday sketch for the card layout with few variations except for the dimensions.  You can see the sketch below along with the photo of the inside of the card.  I hope that you enjoyed your visit to my blog.  Please feel free to leave me a comment.  I love to hear from you!

Many Blessings,

Donna