Twist of Faith - Challenge #35 - Trees

How many tree stamps are in your collection?  Have you used them lately?  It's time to get them out and use them  this week!  This week at Twist of Faith Card Challenges we are using trees in our creations.  Create a card or project using a tree...or even a whole forest...and don't forget to include a scripture, uplifting verse or positive words/quote in order to be considered for the drawing.  And what a great prize is available this week!  Our sponsor is Eureka Stamps and the winner will receive their choice of 5 digital images!  WOW! 

For my card I used "I Am The Vine".  I love this verse - what a great promise!  I embossed the base of the card with a bark type embossing folder.  I had a tree stamp from a kit that I ordered a while back so I stamped it over the verse using a tan ink.  I finished the card off with buttons - and I wanted the whole nature feel so I used buttons that a dear friend had sent me - they are made out of coconut shells!  I had never seen anything like them!!  They are so cool!  (Thanks Sassy!!!).

 

So now it's your turn.  Get those tree stamps inked and post your creation.  I can't wait to see what you've created!!  And don't forget about our generous sponsor who is giving 5 digital stamps to the random winner!!! 

{PIN}spirational Challenge - #55

Want to see a really sweet picture?

 

Isn't she just adorable?  Are you inspired yet?  This is the inspiration photo for Challenge #55 at {PIN}spirational Challenges this week.  We have two great sponsors:

 

Saturated Canary

 

and

 

Ikes Art Stamps

 

Both of these sponsors have great images! 

 

I used "Snow White" from Ikes Art.  I didn't want her to feel like the Disney character (even though that is one of my favorite movies).  I did use blue but instead of going with red as the other color, I decided to use yellow.  The flower was one that I received in a swap a while back - I can't even remember who sent it to me.  But I thought it went perfectly with this card.

 

 

If you're inspired by that beautiful picture, create a card and link it up at {PIN}spirational Challenges  I look forward to seeing what you create!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!!

 

 



A sketch, reycling, and some chocolate

It's a beautiful day here in the northeast part of the Buckeye State!  The sun is shining and the birds are chirping....there are little leaves popping out on the trees and those beautiful spring flowers are blooming!  Today is going to be a day of cleaning and then getting outside to enjoy the Spring!  It's going to be a great day - ending with prayer at church tonight.  But of course - how do I start my Saturday?  By spending it in my stamp room!  (It needs cleaned up too - how else to clean it up than to use the stuff!  Hey, it sounds good doesn't it?).  I made a few cards and of course they fit into challenges - so here we go:

First up is Inkspirational Challenges who has a sketch for this week.  I'm finding that I'm leaning more to CAS cards or maybe just a step past that.  While I love looking at the cards where there is so much stuff on them, I can't ever get mine to look fantastic.  I'm learning that it's just not my style.  I don't think I'm a true 1 layer card maker either....while they amaze me - I always feel like mine is missing something.  So what does all that have to do with Inkspirational?  The sketch has that CAS feel to it.  What do you think?:

In my quest to ink all my stamps this year (or at least one stamp in each set - LOL!), I used a set from a kit that I had received a while a go.  I had never used even one stamp from this set!  Shame on me - I know.  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers using very light colors.  I wanted the color to be very subtle. 

 

 

Next up is ABC Challenges where the theme this week is Recycle.  This one is right up my ally!  I hate to throw away anything it seems that I can use on a card.  I received a thank you note today from a friend at church.  I loved the card and just couldn't think of tossing it.  So the front of it became a layer on my card!  I also used a piece of another card that I used as another layer...and then the inside of that card (it was a store bought greeting card) had some gold design so I cut that off and used it too!  Lastly, the verse isn't really a recycle but is something I have had in my stash for gee, probably 5 years or so.  Here's how it all turned out:

 

Lastly is my card for Twisted Tuesday Challenges Chocolate Buffet!  Now how can anyone say no to chocolate?  I made a gate fold card because I needed a fancy fold card for a Secret Sister Swap on SCS...but my it's not a secret who I have - so yes Dawn, this card is going in the mail to you!  LOL!!  The challenge was to use chalk, glitter, spritz, or distress inks with the twist of a chocolate theme.  I used Distress Ink (Tea Dye) to stamp the image and also line the outside of the card.  The stamp is from Clear Dollar Stamps. 

 

 

Now it's time to start cleaning....thank you for stopping by and I'll see you soon!!  Blessings to you!!



 

 



 

Get Sketchy at Twist of Faith!

Are you the kind of stamper that can sit down at your craft table and create a card just out of your own creativity?  Well then I'm MEGA impressed!  Because that's not me at all!!  I usually have to have some type of jumping off point - and usually it's a sketch that gets me going.  I have a whole notebook full of sketches!  So when I saw that this weeks challenge at Twist of Faith Card Challenges was a Sketch challenge - I was super excited!  Then that excitement got super charged when I saw our great sponsor for this week -

 Bugaboo Stamps

This week the challenge winner is 7 digital images!!  WOW!!!!

 

Here's the sketch to get you started:

 

 

And what did I come up with?  I chose the stamp image "Beautiful Blocks - Faith".  Since it had such a lovely sentiment built right into the image, I didn't add another sentiment to the card.

 

 

So now it's your turn.  Feel free to turn the sketch and be creative.  But don't forget that your creation must include a scripture, uplifting verse, or positive words/quote.  I can't wait to see what you create!!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Things are fluttering over at {PIN}spirational Challenges!

Spring is in the air at {PIN}spirational Challenges! 

 

You know how it works, a "PIN" photo is posted and you are supposed to use it for your inspiration.  Well, this weeks photo was very difficult to work with because it kept fluttering around the room!  Take a look and you'll see why:

 

Isn't that just lovely?!  WOW!  So pretty!!!!

 

We have two sponsors this week:

 

Cardmadfairy's Card Creations

 

and....

Delicious Doodles

 

The card I made I wanted to make the butterflies almost come right off the card so I cut them out and then only adhered the body of the butterfly and let the wings flutter.

 

 

This card is already fluttering through the postal stream and heading to the mailbox of a little 6 year old girl who has cancer.  We have so much fun making cards and having this creative outlet.  But what do you do with all the cards you make?  This week why not send them out - each and every card you make - put it right into the mail....send it to someone who needs a bright spot in their day.  Send it to someone who you love.  Send it to someone you haven't had contact with in quite some time.  Send it to your child.  Send it to your parent.  Or a coworker.  Or a neighbor.  You never know how much you can be a blessing to someone this week!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

 

Birthday present for Kimmy

One of my dearest friends is celebrating her Birthday!  When I asked Kim what she wanted for her Birthday this year - in typical Kim fashion she said nothing.  But I pushed and pushed and she eventually caved.  She asked me to make some cards for her to send to her daughter.  Well gee, I can do that!  So this morning I've been in the craft room making some cards.  How neat that not only can I make a Birthday present for a friend, but also participate in challenges this week!  YEAH!!!  So here we go (challenges for each card listed below the card):

Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch #82

Inky Impressions Challenges - Punches & Dies

Delightful Challenges - Colors of Spring

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenges - Colors of Spring

Cuttlebug Mania - Sentiments Only

 

 

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #76

Tuesday Throwdown - Focus on the Sentiment

Sister Act Card Challenge - Challenge #3

Inkspirational Challenges - Challenge #16 - CASE

 

 

Created With Love Challenges - Reuse/Recycle - the bottom part of the card is a store bought card that was sent to me - I love to reuse them rather than throw them away.

 

 

 

ABC Challenges - 1, 2, 3 - 1 ribbon, 2 papers, 3 gems

 

 

This card is part of the challenge from Lynn in our blog group....one layer using flower stamp.

 

{PIN}spirational Challenges - #53

Tuesday is also the day the new {PIN}spirational Challenge is released and this week Deanne has selected a great picture for inspiration:

 

 

Isn't this a great picture?  Not only can you be inspired by the coffee, but by scrabble, the word "rain", the pretzel, look inside the cup - birds, and then there is always the brown color palette.  So many directions to go!!!

 

We have 2 sponsors this week with great prizes:

 

Fred She Said Designs

(Prize: $15.00)

 

...and...

 

Fresh Brewed Designs

(Prize: 3 Digis)

 

Both companies have so many great images!  I was able to chose an image from Fred She Said Designs.  I took my inspiration from the inside of the cup and went for the word "bird".  I found some great hummingbird images to use!  While I love the traditional colors of a hummingbird, I wanted to go a little bit outside the box so I searched online about hummingbirds.  The neat thing I learned is that there are so many different varities of those little creatures!  I never realized how many different colors there were of hummingbirds!  One that I found is here in Ohio and it's actually the only common breed here in Ohio.  It's called the Ruby throated hummingbird.  So since they are the only common Ohio breed, I had to an orange card:

 

 

So now it's your turn.  How are you inspired by the picture?  I can't wait to see your creation!  Oh, and while you're at it - there is a Birthday Celebration going on at {PIN}spirational Challenges that you'll want to check out too.  Have a blessed day!!!!  And thanks for stopping by!!!

 

Twist of Faith - Birthday

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for a new Twist of Faith Card Challenges!  This week the theme is...

 

BIRTHDAYS!

Don't forget:  Your creation should also include a scripture,

uplifting verse or positive words/words

 

We have an amazing sponsor this week:

 

Beccy's Place

 

The winner of this week's challenge will win your choice of three images!  Take a look at her site - there are some beautiful and fun images!!  It would be hard to narrow it down to three!

 

The image I used for this card is called "Shabby Chic Birdhouse".  I love this image because it's so versatile and pretty.  I wanted to keep with some brown muted tones instead of going bright this week.  In the end, I really like the way this card turned out. 

 

Now it's your turn.  Time to create a Birthday card.  Make sure that it includes an uplifting verse, scripture, or quote.  I'll see you over at Twist of Faith!  I can't wait to see what you create!  Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Ever have one of those moments when you want to scream?

Yesterday I was in the zone making cards.....finished the pink hydrangea card and then went to my next list of challenges.  One had an image that they wanted used so I printed the image (check), used the criteria for another challenge (check), used the verse for another challenge (check) and made the card....only to go back at the end and look at the original challenge...not only was I supposed to use the image....but also do a fancy fold card...and mine was a plain A2 fold card.  UGH!  Oh well.  Guess I'll get in on the next challenge on that one.  And then I went back and looked at the one of the other challenges...and it was closed already.   LOL!!  But at least I got a card done for one I really wanted to participate in on a regular basis........

This card is submitted for Word Art Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by!  Blessings to you!!!!

Pink Hydrangea

This week it's been raining.  And raining.  And raining.  One day I got home from work and looked like I just stepped out of the shower fully dressed.  LOL!  But after it rains everything looks so green and lush.  I even saw some spring flowers starting to bloom.  Between seeing the flowers this week and the inspiration a several challenges, I decided yesterday to make a flower card. 

 

 I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Hiding In My Craftroom - Super Scrap Saturday (using scraps)

One Stop Challenges - Pastels

ABC Challenges - Color Challenges: Pink, Green, Blue

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Inkspirational Challenges - photo inspiration (see below)



{PIN}SPIRATIONAL CHALLENGE #52

"April showers bring May flowers".  We've all heard it before...and now that April is here, over at {PIN}spirational Challenges we have a great April inspiration photo:

 

And not only do we have a great photo....but look who our sponsors are this week:

 



Bugaboo Stamps
 

and

Di's Digi Dowloads

 

It was so difficult to pick an image.  We were given images from Bugaboo Stamps to chose from...but as soon as I saw this image, I knew I had to use it!!!  The papers were from my stash (trying to use what I have) and I colored it with my Bic markers. 

 

 

 

Be sure to visit the other members of the DT from {PIN}spirational Challenges...and don't forget - you can't win if you don't enter!  Good luck!!!



TWIST OF FAITH - SHAPED CARDS

This week at Twist of Faith Card Challenges the theme is Shaped Cards!  We have a great sponsor this week: 

Digi Darla Designs

The random winner this week will win 5 digi's of your choice!  WOW!  Now how can pass up a chance at that??

Confession time:  I must say up front - this one was a huge struggle for me.  Every card I make is A2.  If I make a square card I think I'm really going outside my box!  And for this challenge we had to pick a shape that wasn't a square or rectangle.  WOW - what is a boxy girl to do?  LOL!! 

Now the first card I made I LOVED!  I chose the image "Flower Girl" and made such a cute card.  And then I went back and looked at what the challenge was....shaped...and guess what shape my card was - YEP - an A2 rectangle!  UGH!!  So back to the drawing board. 

I had a circle card from a kit I had bought a while back.  So how hard could this be - I loved the image and had the circle card already cut out for me...so this could be a cinch....right?  WRONG!  I finished the card and wasn't happy - something was missing.  But then the more I added, the worse it seemed to get.  I left my craft room in frustration and let it sit for a day or two....and tried again.  After a bit more frustration, I gave up and went back to the circle card I started with.  While I'm not happy with it at all, at least it was done.  Ever have one of those days?  LOL!!!  Now that I've looked at it a few days, I don't think it's quite as bad as I thought...but alas, it is at the bottom of my favorite list.  But the really neat thing is that it did force me out of my box and who knows - maybe shaped cards won't be such a struggle now.

 

Now it's your turn!  Give me some inspiration and make a shaped card for the Twist of Faith Card Challenges.  Don't forget that you need to include a scripture, positive/uplifting verse/quote on your card.  Good luck and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

Sunday Stamping....part 3

Here we are, the end of the road for Sunday....post #3.  It's going to be a quick one because it's time to get ready for church tonight.  My hubby has to open the church so we have to be there at 4:30 this afternoon and it's already 3:40 and I still need to change my clothes from my grubby duds back into church clothes. 

My last card for the day is probably my favorite that I made today.  The image was one that I received in an image swap.  The papers were just pieces parts that I had one hand from other projects and the flower is a combo of a couple different packs with a SU brad in the middle.  I colored the flowers with my new Spectrum Noir markers (still getting the hang of those things...it's going to take some time).  So this is what I came up with:

I'm submitting this for the following challenges:

 

Cuttlebug Mania - April Showers.....my interpretation is that it brings May flowersl  LOL!

Twisted Tuesday Challenges - Animals & Flowers

Hiding In My Craft Room - Yellow, Green, and Pink

 

 

Thank you for stopping by....sorry for the number of posts today.  Have a blessed day!

Sunday Stamping....part 2

The next card I made on this beautiful Sunday was made out of scraps and recycled items (the recycled part fits into one of the challenges).  I used a piece of paper from my scrap box for the squares and then stamped the sentiment on a piece of greeting card paper (yep - when someone sends me a store bought card, if I don't keep it then I see what I can use from it - even if it's just white stock).  The ribbon I think is Stampin' Up but I'm not sure. 

I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:

 



The Paper Players - Recycle It!

Sunday Stamps - Color Challenge

Come And Get It Challenges - sketch

Sentimental Sundays - Get Well

Sunday Stamping...part 1

It's a beautiful day here in NE Ohio!  Believe it or not - I have the windows open this afternoon.  And as I'm typing this (sitting on the couch with the laptop on my stomach), I can hear the squirrels and the birds outside.  I love Spring!

While my wonderful husband was napping this afternoon, I spent about an hour and a half in my craft room making 3 cards.  Since I'm going to submit them in different challenges, I'll be doing 3 posts...this is post #1.

This week I got an invitation in one of the comments on this blog!  Karen (thanks for the invite!) suggested that check out Word Art Wednesday.  What you don't know Karen is that I've been lurking there for a couple weeks.  LOL!!  When I first started this blog thing several months ago my goal was to participate in challenges.  I wanted to expand out of my comfort zone.  Little did I know that there were SOOOO many challenges/blogs out there in blog-land.  At first I thought I needed to participate in tons of them...but as the months have gone by, I'm discovering that I need to scale back a bit and stick to a handful so that it doesn't get so overwhelming.  I'm amazed that people can keep up with so many, but I know my limitations.  So I've been tempted by Word Art Wednesday, but hadn't taken that step yet.  So here it is Karen, I dipping my toe in the pond!

One challenge blog that I have come to love is Inkspirational Challenges.  This week is the color challenge:

 

 

And lastly for this card I had to have a sketch to go by because I don't have a creative bone in my body - but I can copy!  LOL!!  So I picked up this sketch at Sunday Sketch & Stamp:

 

 

 

The paper I used is some I've had for a very long time....yep, trying to use what I have.  Seems to be going well with me this year - but how come I haven't even put a dent into what I have yet?  Anyway, the sentiment is one that was sent to me.  I love it - it spoke to my heart.  So with the colors, sketch, and my papers/sentiment, this is what I came up with (I can't say that I've overly happy with it - but gee, aren't we our own worst critics sometimes?):

 

 

On to post #2.....





Papers deep in the stack

You have it.  You know you do.  Dig deep in your paper stash.  See it?  Oh, you try to avoid it.  You've passed over it many, many times.  It might even just be a 6x6 piece or could be a 12x12.  You try to ignore it - but there it is....staring at you.....waiting to be used!  You've thought about throwing it out - but you're such a paper hoarder that you can't seem do it.  You could make an envelope out of it - but even the thought of that sends shivers down your spine.  Sound familiar?  It's reality in my craft room.  There it was this morning - once again...staring at me...that...paper.  Why would anyone ever buy it?  Was it a piece in a stack I bought once?  Was it part of a swap I did once?  Where did it come from?  And why can't I ever find a use for it?......Today was going to be an adventure so why not use it today!

My morning started at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles getting my drivers license renewed.  Now if that isn't a start of an adventurous day, I don't know what is!  LOL!!  I've been dreading it all week...I didn't think I would pass the eye exam to be honest.  Then what?  It would mean that glasses were in my future.  So there I was - answering those questions - "Same address?" Yes.  "Same height and weight?"  Now come on - you're kidding right?  I don't even think my thigh is that weight anymore.  Then it happened.... "Put your forehead against the bar and read A2 for me".  A2?  You're kidding right?  A2 looks like it was written by a Smurf!  But I guessed and apparently guessed good enough because then it was on to the 2nd part of the ordeal - the picture.  Anyone who knows me, knows I HATE...no, that's not strong enough....HATE...my picture taken.  Guess that is why the last picture taken of me was 4 yeas about at the BMV.  LOL!!!  But alas, it was done and I was walking out the door not to have to go back there until 2017.  (And in case you are wondering - yes, I have another license picture where I look like I am drugged out of my mind).

Once I was home, I thought it was time to dig into that stash - right down to the bottom.  Yes, I dug out the 2 pieces of paper that are so not me and figure it was time to use them.  Not only was I inspired to use them because I was feeling so adventurous....but also because a couple challenges were in play too.  One even was to use that bottom of the stack paper!  Another challenge was a sketch that worked into play.  The image I chose was from a card kit I received from a swap.  I colored the image with pencils because I wanted that soft look.  So here is what I came up with today:

 

I'm submitting this for the following challenges:

 

Crazy 4 Challenges - Spring Into Spring

All Sorts Challenges - Spring Has Sprung

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sweet Sketch #200

Shopping Our Stash - Not Your Normal Paper

 

Thanks for stopping by!!  Have a blessed day!!!

Happy BARB-Day!!!!!!

Did you know it's a holiday today?  Well, it is in the Crafty Gals blog group.  Today is BARB-Day!  It's a day where we get to celebrate Barb!!!  Now the goal of our project is to go to Barb's blog (which is FABULOUS by the way) and find something there for inspiration and then create something and post it on the day...which is TODAY...which is BARB-Day!! 

First off, you must go visit Barb's blog - Inking Into Retirement.  Once you spend - oh, say 30 seconds - on her blog, you'll see what a huge undertaking and difficult task it is to find inspiration!  Why?  Because EVERYTHING is AMAZING!!!!!  I don't think Barb has ever made anything that looks bad EVER!  To pick out one card was an impossible task for me.  So I gave up.  I must confess that I did get it narrowed down to 2 cards...but I could never decide which to use so I tossed up my hands and put up the white flag in defeat. 

I decided to make a card based on Barb.  There are so many directions I could have gone because there are so many wonderful things about Barb...here's a few things I was thinking:

• Barb is an avid gardener - and I even found out that she has a greenhouse!  This impressed me because I can't even keep silk flowers looking good.
• Barb loves animals...she even recently attended a Fur-Ball (you'll have to ask her about that one...LOL!!!).  I love animals too - guess that's why everything I make has at least 1 kitty hair on it.
• Barb loves the outdoors....I do too but while Barb would be hiking around, I would be sitting on my swing reading.

The list could go on and on....but there is one thing that kept sticking out to me - Barb is just FUN!  She's the type of person that if you were having a get together - her name would be at the top of the invite list and everyone would call and ask you "is Barb going to be there" before they would commit to coming.  So that's what I did - a fun image and card. 

So Barb, my friend, this is how you've inspired me...which color and fun and a bit of silly and whimsy.  I hope I did you justice.

 

Happy Barb-Day!

{PIN}spirational Challenges - #51

Tuesdays are such an exciting day!!!  It's the day that both design teams I am honored to be on post new challenges. This week is challenge #51 at {PIN}spirational Challenges.  Now as you know, at {PIN}spirational we are given a picture as our inspiration.  This week the picture is so sweet:

Isn't she just adorable?!  How can you not be inspired by that little face?  We have two sponsors this week:

A Day For Daisies

Can You Digi It?

 

 

Both companies have great products - be sure to check them out...you never know - you might find something you can't live without. 

 

I was able to work with a digit stamp from Can You Digi It? called "Flower Girl". As soon as I saw her I knew I had to use that digi.  She looks like she jumped right out of the photo inspiration!   I couldn't quite decide what colors I wanted to use for this card so it's sort of a rainbow type.  LOL!  I was trying to get her dress to be more cream color but next thing I knew it was yellow so I just went with it.  The brown flower picks up the brown in her hair and the papers. 

 

 

Hope you join us at {PIN}spirational Challenges this week!  Thanks for stopping by.

Twist of Faith - New Life

New Life - Twist of Faith Card Challenges

 

This week at Twist of Faith Card Challenges our theme is New Life.  Our sponsor this week is:

 

Michelle Perkett Studio

 

Michelle has some lovely images so you might want to check out her site.  I was fortunate to be able to use one of her images for this challenges.  The image is called "Mary, Mary".  The image had a great sentiment with it so I used it with the image.  Recently I bought a set of Spectrum Noir markers and this is one of the first cards I colored using them.  The flower was from two different color packages by Darice and one by Michael's. 

 

 

Come on over to Twist of Faith Card Challenges and join the fun!  We'd love to have you!!  And who knows, you might just win this week's prize!!