Saturday, November 30, 2013

A Sneaky Peek!


Hello sweet friends!  I hope all my American friends had a happy Thanksgiving and that you didn't eat too much turkey! LOL!  I know all of us here did!!!

I wanted to share a quick sneak peek with you because I just love the new stamps from Our Daily Bread designs that will be releasing tomorrow and had to share some with you!  This card was made using a  set called Ornate Borders and Flowers, the ODBD Custom Ornate Borders and Flower Die, and also from a past release, Decorative Corners dies.  I also used a past release,  Mini Tags 3 for my sentiment.  Don't you just love how these new borders layer with eachother? The dies cut these borders beautifully and I know you will love these new sets.  I can't wait to show you more!!!


My ink for this card is VersaColor Pigment ink and I used this gorgeous designer paper from Prima called Meadow Lark on a base of white.  I added a little bling, some Wild Orchid flowers, and a white silk bow from May Arts. 

I will keep this short since I still have my family here and am on the run, but I hope you'll stop back tomorrow to see the entire release, as it is just beautiful!!!!  I also wanted to mention that ODBD is having a Thanksgiving
Weekend Sale and it's AWESOME!

  So check it out at THIS POST!  It's good through 11pm Dec. 2!!!

'Til then.... Blessings,

Thursday, November 28, 2013

A Thanksgiving Day Proclamation!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends (and to all who are thankful)!

Last Saturday, my husband was at the Shiele Museum reenacting a Colonial Thanksgiving.  He will be a messenger (the means by which news was sent in the 1700''s)  sent to read the Proclamation of Thanksgiving given by then President George Washington.  I thought you might enjoy reading it because you won't find it in today's history books, nor will you hear it from our White House. 

Oh how far we have fallen!

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go. Washington


Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

Blessings,


Saturday, November 23, 2013

A Beautiful Gift and more gifts to come!!!


 Hello sweet blogging friends!  Today I wanted to share a special gift that arrived at my house several days ago and I just have not had time to post it until now!  This beautiful package came from my sweet sister in Christ, and blogging friend, Sarah George!  It made it's way all the way from India to NC and I am just thrilled with the beautiful goodness in this gift!

I had decided some time ago to choose someone from my faithful visitors who leave me comments to gift with some fun goodies, and I chose Sarah.  She says she's still new to stamping but I think you'll agree that she does absolutely BEAUTIFUL work!  She made me two cards using some of the things I had sent her, and these AWESOME quilled tags!  These are very special to me because while I bought the supplies to try quilling a couple years ago, I really never got in to doing it and I sooooo love the beautiful work that can be done with strips of paper!  Sarah has made these tags and I just can't wait to use them!  Then in the back of the photo you can see the most gorgeous clutch bag with so much delicate stitching on it!  I just love it!!!

Sarah... thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I certainly did not send a gift to get a gift, but I do want you to know how very much I appreciate your thoughtfulness!!!  

I hope you'll stop by Sarah's blog and enjoy some of her beautiful work!

My idea is that every so often, I will be continuing to select one name from my regular commenters, and sending them a little  package of love, because who doesn't enjoy new toys to play with?  So you never know when I'll be contacting you for your mailing address... I didn't want it to be about getting new people to follow my blog to get blog candy,  and then never come back.... I wanted it to be about you, the ones who visit frequently, and leave the most amazingly encouraging comments!  It's also about passing on the blessings!  God has given me much, and I want to pass that along!  So... if you are reading this and leave comments along the way... you could be next!  :)

Thank you!!!

Blessings,


Friday, November 22, 2013

Taking A Look Back that's Sparkly, Elegant and Very Mailable!



Hello friends!  I hope you are having a wonderful week!

 Today we are taking a look back at Our Daily Bread Designs November Release

I'm sharing another Christmas card I made using this month's release from Our Daily Bread designs: Vintage Pattern Ornaments, and Vintage Pattern Mini 2.  I also used the Circle Ornament Dies. The card shape is Spellbinders Grand Labels 23, and the tag is cut with SB Grommet Tags.

For the white background, I stamped the Vintage Pattern Mini 2 with VersaMark and embossed with Diamonds and Pearls embossing powder.  The ornament itself was heat embossed with Kaleidoscope embossing powder, and I love how it reflects so many different colors! 

The holly leaves and bow are also from the Circle Ornaments Die set.  I cut the holly leaves from brushed gold paper, and for the bow, after cutting the out of black card stock with the die, I used my VersaMark pen to brush the embossing medium on to the whole bow, then I embossed it with Kaleidoscope powder.  The ornament hanger (also from the circle ornament die set) was cut from gold paper and then embossed with Kaleidoscope powder.  It's amazing how different the same embossing powder can look depending on the color of the paper you use it on!

For the sentiment panel, after stamping the sentiment (from the Vintage Ornament set) on ivory card stock, I used my VersaMark pen to ink around the edges of the Grommet die cut, and embossed with Diamonds and Pearls embossing powder.  Two little black gems were added to the tag.  

This is another easily mailed card... pretty flat but still sparkly and elegant.  


 

Here are the ODBD products I used today:

 



Be sure to check out the ODBD Blog to see much more, and please stop by my DT Sisters for more inspiration! 

 Julie * Angie * Dawn * Chris * Cathy * Sabrina * Sandee * Lori

 Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love knowing you were here!  

Blessings,

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

An Elegant Merry Christmas Wish!


Hello friends!  I have another Christmas card done and ready to go!  Yay!  I hope you are all getting yours ready as well, because that season is almost here!!!
 
  I had fun with this one! I used ODBD's Vintage Pattern Mini 1 and 2, stamping both on ivory card and embossing with pearl ep. I cut the bottom with the ODBD Antique Labels and Border die. I also took a piece of brushed gold and just embossed the border on the bottom. For my ornament, I stamped the ODBD Vintage Ornament and heat embossed with gold ep, cut with the ODBD Custom Circles Ornament die, then I matted it with a brushed gold mat. I heat embossed the single poinsettia flower from the Poinsettia Wreath set on to water color paper, water colored it and cut it with the Poinsettia Wreath Die. I also cut 2 pine boughs from brushed gold using the ODBD Fancy Foliage Die. I popped the ornament up on foam dimensionals, and added the sentiment from the Poinsettia Wreath set and die cut that with the Recipe Card and Tags die. I simply added some ribbon and pearls for an elegant card that looks much more complicated than it really is. :)


I am entering this in this week's "Holiday" Challenge at the Shining the Light Challenge on ODBD,  Crafty Creations -  American Thanksgiving/Christmas, Divas by Design - Pretty, Paper Shelter Challenge - Christmas, Sisterhood of Crafters  -  Embossing, Stampavie and More - Christmas,  WordArt Wednesdays -  scriptural word art freebie offered each week - Anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love hearing from you!  It really encourages me to keep trying to create inspiring samples!   Blessings to you!


Thursday, November 14, 2013

A Center Easel Card and Basic Tutorial!


 Hello friends!  Today I have something fun to share with you!  I have never made one of these center easel cards before, but I have seen a couple on Pinterest, and decided to give it a try.  I love how it came out!

I could not find a tutorial for this fold, so I tried to describe below how I created this one.  I was not thinking of a "tutorial" when I created it, so I did not take photos along the way until near to the end.  So,  instead, I   drew a diagram and I hope that helps explain the process. 

 I started out with a 5 x 7" base of craft card stock. 

 Then I cut a piece of white card stock 9 1/2 x 6 3/4" and scored it to fold it in half (at 4 3/4").  On one half of the center fold, I cut to the center fold line at 1 7/16" in from each side.  On the center panel between those two cuts, I scored across the panel at the half way point.  This forms the easel to which I will adhere the center panel of my card.

Here is the diagram of the fold and cut lines.  Sorry the lighting is not the best, but I think you can get the idea.


After the two side panels of the white layer are adhered down on the bottom white half of the card, and the center panel is folded in half, you adhere the solid half (the 6 3/4" x 4 3/4" white panel to your 5 x 7 Craft base.


The following is what you will have after adhereing the two side panels of white card stock down on to the bottom, and adhering the white layer to your 5 x 7 base.  (I had decorated my side panels when I took this photo, but it gives you the idea what you should have after following the above directions.)


As you can see, your folded center panel is now going to form the easel that will hold up your main panel.  

Next you cut a main panel to adhere to that folded center part to create your pop up image. I used Craft card stock and  cut my panel a little bigger than the "easel" fold it's adhered to, but just enough to come to the edges of my base.  So my center panel measures 5" H x 3 7/8" W.  Yours could be the exact size as the center panel if you prefer. Decorate your main panel and the side panels however you wish.  I will give the details on how I decorated mine below.  Just one more step to assembling your card first:

To adhere your main center panel to the easel, I find it easiest to apply adhesive to the lower half of the folded white panel  (see photo above), and lining up the lower edge of your decorated panel where you want it, adhere.  You will then have the easel, which is only adhered to the bottom half of the main panel, which allows you to fold the card flat for mailing. See below how it looks from the side once adhered.  It's also a good idea to put either pearls, flowers or some other decoration on the lower edge of your base to form a "stop" for your main panel to rest against when it is open.  As you can see, I used a Spellbinders tag die cut and a stamped sentiment, which is all that's needed to hold the easel up, but not bulky when you want to fold it flat for mailing.




 Here are the products I used to decorate this:

Spellbinders Fancy Tags
Other:  Craft, White and Real Red card stock, Real Red and Gumball Green Ink, Copics, AnnaGriffith Cuttlebug  embossing folder, Red pearls(Michaels), Red Ribbon (May Arts), Dimensionals.

I stamped the holly pattern with Gumball Green, matted with red and adhered to the two side panels.  I die cut the Quatrefoil Pattern from white, cut a craft panel the same size to back it with, and adhered them together, and then adhered the bottom half to the front fold of the center folded panel.  I stamped the Poinsettia Wreath with Gumball Green and then lightly colored with Copic G40.  I colored the poinsettias with Copics R24, R29, Y15), cutting one extra with the Poinsettia die cut so I could pop up the center flower.  I cut the green panel, embossed with the Anna Griffith folder and adhered to the bottom of my center panel, and added the pearls. I added a bow to the wreath, and die cut some holly leaves and berries from the Circle Ornament Die set I stamped the sentiment from Christmas Blessings with Real Red on white, and cut with a SB Fancy Tag. I hand cut along the embossed line so only the white inner part would be used.  I then cut another fancy tag from craft and mounted the white panel to it, and popped that up with 2mm dimensionals.  This gives a stopping point for the easel to rest against when open.  When it's ready to be mailed, it folds down flat.


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed my project and will give this a try!  You could use any dimensions you wanted!  You don't need to use the same size I did... just play with it and I think you'll love the result!  It's a fold that gives a little wow factor, displays beautifully, but is actually VERY easy to do and is very mailable!

Blessings,




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Clean and Simple but still Elegant!


Hello blogging friends!

Today I'm sharing something different for me, but I do like the way this came out!  I wondered if I'd like this newly released ODBD Poinsettia Wreath embossed in gold on black, so I gave it a try!  I then cut it out with the Custom Poinsettia Wreath Die, and when I put it on this ivory base, I loved it!  So from there I decided to create ivory poinsettias, so I stamped three of the single poinsettias and the bow in the set on water color paper with Versamark, and embossed in gold, and cut out with the custom die.  Then I lightly water colored with markers to give just a hint of color, and I added them to the wreath with dimensionals.  The base is black and there is a brushed gold mat.  The sentiment from the newly released Christmas Pattern Ornament set is embossed in gold directly on the card stock.  So quick.... so easy.... but I think very elegant as well.  I will add a white layer inside for my message, but this one is an easy one to make in mass.  Guess I better get busy!!!




I am entering this in the following challenges:


Thanks so much for stopping by!  I do love knowing you were here!!!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Double ring wedding card!


Hello friends!  Today I have something fun and different to share.  This double ring card was made using silver mirrored card stock and this month's die release from Our Daily Bread designs, ODBD Custom Circle Ornaments Dies.  I used the smallest two for the diamond ring, as well as the little diamond shape that's included in the set.   For the larger band, I used the larger two dies to cut the band, and then I embossed it with a Cuttlebug Herringbone folder. I mounted the two rings on a background of white, with the Quatrefoil Pattern Die, also from ODBD.   I intertwined the two rings, but you can't see that in the photo because of where the tag is sitting.  The sentiment on the tag is embossed with silver ep and is from the Love Scriptures set.I used the ODBD Custom Recipe Card and Tags Die to cut the tag. 

Here is the inside:



Inside the card, I embossed the sentiment from Love One Another, and cut with the ODBD Custom Antique Labels and Designs dies I used a silver paint pen to edge the label with silver.   The lower edge of the card is cut with a Spellbinders A2 Bracket Border die.  The base is silver textured Bazzill.

I am entering this in the following challenges:
 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I love knowing you were here!!!

Blessings, 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

CAS Christmas Blessings!


Hello friends!  
Today I am sharing a card I made for another class sample for the ODBD Christmas Card classes.  I used Poinsettia Wreath, The Custom Poinsettia Wreath Die, as well as Cardinal Ornament (sentiment) and Poinsettia Background.  This card is pretty CAS (Clean and Simple) but I love how it came out.  I stamped the Poinsettia background with two shades of T Holtz Distress Ink: Bundled Sage and then touched with Pine Needles.  I cut a mat for that layer from Cherry Cobbler card stock which I die cut on the bottom with a Spellbinders A2 Bracket Border.  The image itself is stamped with Memento and colored with Copics, and cut out with the custom die.  I stamped one extra poinsettia and die cut it and popped it up on the wreath.  The card base is vanilla and the sentiment is stamped with Cranberry Crisp Ink. 

I am entering this in the following challenges:
 Fab 'n' Funky  #192  Traditional Christmas colors
     Penny's Paper-Crafty #152 Lots of layers
                         Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Must be Christmas-  Traditional Colours
                                      Through The Craft Room Door  Alway's Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday  Colour Explosion

I'm short on time today, so will keep this short!  Have a blessed day!!!

"The Lord is good and His love endures forever."  Psalm 100:5

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Peace on Earth!


 Hello friends!  Today I'm sharing another Christmas card I made with two stamps sets from this month's release from Our Daily Bread designs: Vintage Ornaments and Earth Verses.  I also cut the ornament with the new ODBD Custom Circle Ornament Dies.

I started with a base of Night of Navy, and then a layer of ivory which was embossed with a holly spray folder.  I stamped the vintage pattern ornament on mirrored card stock using versamark, and heat embossed with pearlescent blue.  I cut the hanger from silver mirrored card, and added a tiny silver thread to "hang" it, then topped that with a navy silk bow using May Arts ribbon.  The ornament is adhered with foam dimensionals.   I heat embossed the sentiment from Earth Verses directly on the ivory layer, and only added 3 blue pearls for trim.  I think I'm beginning to get more comfortable with CAS (clean and simple) designs!  Maybe there's hope for me yet! 

I am entering this in to this week's Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge with a Scripture or encouraging sentiment, and this week's  Shining the Light challenge, which is to be inspired by a song.  I used  "Let there be peace on earth."   

As I ponder the words of this song and others, including various Christmas carols I am reminded that there are different kinds of peace, and it's pretty important that we know the difference!

 The Bible clearly says that there will be no “peace on earth” until the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6) comes back to earth and destroys all the enemies of God. It also tells us that until then, things will get worse as the many turn their hearts away from God and His truth (2 Tim. 3:13, 4:3 and 4). Isn't that what we are seeing today?

Though there will not be total peace on earth until the Lord Jesus returns, there can be peace in our own hearts, and that is a peace that only comes from having a relationship with God.

 As humans, our sinful nature has separated us from, and puts us at war with Holy God.  There can be no peace on the outside when there is no peace with God our Maker on the inside.  When we realize we are sinners, and that we need a Savior, and that that Savior was given to us in the form of Jesus, God's one and only son, who became man so that He could pay the price for our sin that we could not pay by dieing on the cross, and rising again in victory over sin and death;  and when we receive Him as our own Savior... that struggle is over.  We now have the peace of God in our hearts, and we are at peace with God because that struggle is over!   He is constantly affirming our new status as His children; children with the hope and assurance of eternal life with Him,  chosen for good works and conforming us to His perfect plan for us.   When we accept Him as our Savior, He changes our hearts, and all things become new.   As we grow in our faith, our hearts continue to be conformed more to what He wants us to be, and while we are still sinners, we are constantly seeking to be more like Him and to do things that please Him.  We begin to see people as God sees them... His dearly loved and prized creation.   He values people beyond our imagination... He made us in His own image!  He has plans for us... and they are for good, not for evil, and He delights over us!  When we as believers start to look at His creation as He does... it changes our priorities and our preconceived ideas, prejudices, and all our incorrect thinking, and we see even our enemies are ones dearly loved by God... so loved, that He sent His only Son to die for their sins, and offered that gift as a free gift of life to any who would but believe and receive His gift.  

We know there will not be true peace on earth until Jesus comes back as The Prince of Peace.... but we do know that the Giver of ALL peace has offered His gift that we can have NOW... the peace OF God, which we have when we are at peace WITH God.   As we begin to plan for and enter this Christmas season when we celebrate God's indescribable gift... The One who ultimately is the source of ALL peace, let's think about how we can share that gift with  those who so desperately need it!

With the prayer that you are enjoying peace with God, and the peace of God,

Friday, November 1, 2013

ODBD November Release!

ODBD Stamps: The Earth, Earth Verses, designer Grace Nywening

Hello friends!  Welcome to the Our Daily Bread designs November Release!  I hope you've had a chance to see the full release!  If not, be sure to stop by the ODBD Blog to see it, as well as lots of inspiration from the ODBD designers!

Be sure to visit each designer's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate toward stamps from the ODBD Store!  You have until Nov. 2nd 9:00 pm to leave your comment, and one blessed commenter will be chosen from one of the designers blogs, and winner will be announced Nov. 4!

For my first sample (above) I used two new sets: The Earth and Earth Verses.  I love so many of the verses in this set, and this one I used is one of my favorites.  You are the salt of the earth!  This is taken from Matt. 5:13.  I have been thinking a lot about salt lately, because I had some oral surgery and have to rinse my mouth out several times a day with warm salt water.  Salt has many different uses, and cleansing and purifying are among them.  Salt also is used to preserve and to flavor. As we all have experienced, salt, when consumed  produces a thirst!   When Jesus said "You are the Salt of the Earth"... what do you think He meant?  If you are a Christian, do your words and actions serve to cleanse and remove the impurities of sin?  Do you seek to preserve those you come in contact with, and do you share your love for the Lord, thus creating a thirst for more knowledge of Him?  Isn't it interesting that the word salt was used here.... but it goes on to say that if the salt has lost it's saltiness, it is no longer of value.  So whatever you believe Jesus was telling His followers... it's important to keep on being that salt! 

I decided to make a shaker card, using sea salt in my shaker.  My base is Bazzill and the dp is 7 Gypsies.  I stamped the image  with Memento, and the sentiment with VersaFine. The image is cut with the new Circle Ornament Dies.   The trim is some K&Co sticker trim, and I added some twine around the shaker iteslf. 

Here is my second sample.

ODBD Stamps: Christmas Pattern Orn, Poinsettia Wreath, designer Grace Nywening

For this card I used two more of the new sets:  Christmas Pattern Ornament and Poinsettia WreathI also used the ODBD Custom Circle Ornament Dies, also released today, and the ODBD Custom Recipe  & Tags Die from a previous release. My designer paper is the ODBD Christmas Paper Collection 2013, and I just love it!  

I started off with a base of Bazzill, then a Real Red layer, then the ODBD Christmas paper , and then I added a red layer at the bottom, cut with a Spellbinders A2 Scalloped Border.  The ribbon is from Michaels.  The ornament is stamped with the Christmas Pattern Ornament and cut with the Custom Circle Die, and mounted with dimensionals, and tiny silver pearls were added, as well as the little hanger, which I cut from silver mirrored paper.  The sentiment from Poinsettia Wreath was stamped with Real Red and cut with the ODBD Custom Recipe  and Tags Die.  I added a tiny silver bow to the ornament, and some silver pearls to finish the card.  This card was quite quick and easy to make, and is very mailable. 

Here are the ODBD products I used today:













In case you missed my last two posts, I have shared some more of these gorgeous papers as sneak peeks, so you can scroll down to see the next 2 posts for the full details on these projects:

 Tri-fold front:

ODBD Stamps: The Earth, designer Grace Nywening

Tri-fold first flap opened:

ODBD Stamps: The Earth, designer Grace Nywening

Tri-fold fully open:

ODBD Stamps: The Earth, designer Grace Nywening

And finally, this card using two of the papers:

ODBD Stamps: Sing for Joy, Christmas Pattern Ornament, designer Grace Nywening



To view the full release, please visit the ODBD Blog!
Please be sure to visit all my design team sisters for more inspiration, and for a chance to win!  



Thanks for stopping by, and Blessings to you!