Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Twist of Faith #43 - SCENES - Scenic card/or a scenic image

This week at Twist of Faith Card Challenges the theme is "Scenes" - to create a scenic card or a scenic image.  I must admit that this was sort of out of my comfort zone and I don't think I really followed the theme all that well to be honest.  The image I chose from our amazing sponsor, StampArt Design by Kathryne, was Allie & AngelThe image is so sweet and it was sort of a scene already so I didn't create a scene with it - I just let the image speak for itself.
 
Now if you remember, the "twist of faith" is to include a scripture, encouraging verse, or quote.  The quote I used was from my image stash box - I don't know where it came from but I liked it and wanted to use it here.
 
I colored the image with colored pencils.  I thought about markers, but I wanted pencil feel...I didn't even blend the colors much. 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.  Enjoy your day and take a few minutes to encourage someone....it will not only bless that person - but also you.


{PIN}spirational #63

Tuesday is here and that means that's a {PIN}spirational Challenge day!
 
Look at this great summer picture for inspiration:
 
Isn't this adorable?  It reminds me of when I went fishing as a little girl.  And one time - if you can believe it - I was afraid of worms so I actually tried to fish with frozen fish sticks!  LOL!!!
 
Our sponsor this week is Elisabeth Bell Designs
 
 
You just have to check out her images - they are so sweet!!  I was blessed to be able to use one for this weeks card.
 
 
Are you inspired by the picture?  Maybe the colors?  The water?  The little girl?  Maybe it brings back a memory for you?  Whatever inspires you, be sure to link your creation at {PIN}spirational Challenge for a chance to win a great prize!
 
Thanks for stopping by!  God bless you!

 
 
 


Saturday, June 22, 2013

SUMMERTIME!

It's here!!  Officially!!!  Summer!!!!  YEAH!  And today - here in Ohio - it really is summer.  The temps are nice and toasty.  When we were out earlier the car temp said 90 degrees.  I'm not sure it's really 90, but high 80's for sure.
 
With summer being here, may challenge blogs had summer as their theme for the week so of course I had to make a summer card today.  (Ok, any excuse to spend time in the craft room - but whatever works right?).
 
The image is from Bugaboo Stamps.  I colored her with Spectrum Noir markers.  The sentiment is from a kit that I bought a long time ago...so long ago that it didn't even stick anymore by itself....had to use a couple glue dots for it.
 
 
I'm entering this into the following challenges:
QKR Stampede - "Summer Fun"
Craft-Room Challenge - "Here Comes Summer"
Milk Coffee Challenge - "Summer Fun Challenge"
Eureka Stamps - "Anything Goes"
ABC Challenges - "Summer"
Patties Creations Challenge - "Summertime Fun"
2 Sisters Challenge - "Summertime"
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your summer day!!!!!
 


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Twist of Faith - #42 - SKETCH!

Tuesday also means it's time for the weekly Twist of Faith Card Challenge.  This week it was a sketch and that is right up my ally because I always need a "jumping off point" to get me started.  So the sketch for this week is:

Our sponsor this week is
 
 
 
I was able to work with an image called "Blessing of Heaven 7".  Since I make cards for our local pregnancy center, baby cards are always on my mind it seems.  So this card is going into the box for the pregnancy center.  I hope it brings a smile to a new mom.
 
 
I really dug into my stash for this one.  The "Welcome Little One" is a sticker that I've had for a year or more and the little safety pin & binkie is over 3 years old.  I'm not even sure where the ribbon came from...Ha-ha!
 
Now it's your turn....You can turn the sketch on it's side or use it as it is....and the theme is anything you want - just make sure there is a scripture, quote, or encouraging word included.
 
Blessings to you!!!

 

{PIN}spirational #62

Tuesday means it's that time again - time for a new {PIN}spirational Challenges picture.  So what do you think:
 
Don' you just love the colors?  How about the car itself...brings back some memories for me - I remember we had a dark blue bug when I was younger.  Lots to be inspired by in this picture!
 
Our sponsors this week are:
FBDBadge2
 
...and....
 
FSS Logo
 
I was able to work with image from Fred She Said.  I kept with the old car theme.  I started coloring the image with markers, but quickly changed my mind.  I wanted that old feel so I broke out the pencils again.  I still love coloring with pencils!
 
 
So what about you?  What inspires you about the photo?  I can't wait to see!!!
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Have a blessed day and don't forget to encourage someone today.
 
 
 
 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Inkspirational #24

One of the challenges that I try to participate in every week is Inkspirational Challenges.  This week is the week where they give a photo for inspiration:
 
 
It just so happened that this week I received an envie of goodies for a group on SCS and guess what the theme was?  Yep - a ship!  So it fit perfectly!  I made two cards with the ship theme items from the envie so I'm submitting them both for the Inkspirational Challenge. 
 

 
Have a very blessed day!!!!!


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Majestic Eagle

It's too late to make another Father's Day card, but there are a few challenges that have "masculine" themes this week so I wanted to make a masculine card.  I love Eagles - so does my hubby.  They are so majestic and beautiful!
 
The image used here is from Eureka Stamps.  I kept it black and white because I loved the look without color.  I guess I was going a bit patriotic with the blue and red colors.  Although I didn't include a picture, there is Bible verse on the inside of the card that I matted on navy cardstock (the same as the base of the card).
 
I'm submitting this card into the following challenges:
Use It Tuesday - Masculine - nothing new on this card - dug into the stash for the pearls, papers, and image/verse
Tuesday Throwdown - You're The Man - since my hubby loves eagles, this will be going to him
Loves Rubberstamps Challenges - Masculine theme
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your day and don't forget to be a blessing to someone today!

Thankful Kitty

It's been a week of kitty events here at our house.  Tuesday when I came home from work I heard this horrible crying from under our porch.  A half hour later - once my hubby came home and pulled up a board on the porch - we discovered what the crying was....a mamma kitty had abandoned her newborn kittens.  Their eyes were not even open yet.  There were 4 of them and 2 were already dead.  Fortunately, we have a vet hospital close to us and were able to take the kittens there and turn then over (it's call a Safe Samaritan program).  Because of this, I knew immediately what stamp I wanted to use for the ABC Challenge this week - "I (heart) Animals".
 
The stamp is a Penny Black stamp.  I didn't color much of it - but what I did color was with Spectrum Noir markers.  The papers are some I had in my stash. 
 
 
I'm also submitting this card for Word Art Wednesday and Created With Love Challenges
 
Have a very blessed day!!!
 


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Twist of Faith - Fabric


Twist of Faith Challenges has quite a challenge this week (at least it was for me) -

FABRICS!
(Your card must include fabric on it)
 
Now you might not think this is a challenge at all - but I was at a loss at first.  Paper I understand, but fabric?  All I could think of is "how in the world am I supposed to use that?"  But you know what?  As soon as I stopped worrying about how I was supposed to do it and just let the creativity flow - I knew it was not only possible but a great challenge! 
 
Our sponsor this week is:
 
It was so hard to pick an image to use for this challenge because Michelle has amazing images!!!  But I decided to use "A Watered Garden".  I liked this image because it already had the scripture as part of the image, but also because I had decided to use burlap as my fabric and I thought the garden image would go well with burlap.
 
 
Don't forget that your project must include a scripture, uplifting verse, or positive words/quote in order to be considered for the prize.  Good luck and I'll look forward to seeing what you create!!!  Blessings to you today!!!!

{PIN}spirational #61

It's hard to believe another week has passed and so it's time for another {PIN}spirational Challenge - #61.  The inspiration photo this week makes me long to go on vacation!  I know many people go to the cities for vacation - but I love going to the country. 
 
 
Of course we have two amazing sponsors:
 
 
... and ...

 
I was able to work with an image from Rick St. Dennis.  The image is so beautiful without adding anything to it so I kept the coloring to a minimum. 
 
 
Now it's your turn.  Show us how you're inspired by the photo this week.  Is it being in the country?  Or maybe the water?  Or even the colors?  I'm looking forward to seeing your creation.  Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!
 


Monday, June 10, 2013

Employee Spotlight shadowboxes

My crafting has always just been something I did for me.  Sure, I give my cards away and I've crocheted items for gifts before....but when my employer asked me to create something for "Employee Spotlight" - well, I was a bit stressed about it.  I didn't really know what to do.  I was honored that they would have so much faith in my ability - but honestly, I didn't think I was up to the task.  I recruited the assistance of my moms boyfriend to make shadow boxes.  He is so talented when it comes to woodworking!  Then it was up to me to decorate the inside.  They didn't have to be exactly the same because they will be in two different buildings.  So they are done and tomorrow will be heading to the office.  I sure hope they aren't disappointed.  But I wanted to share them here - the pictures aren't the best but you get the idea.  The white spaces are also frames with ribbon corners where letters can be slipped in - they are meant to be used for letters from customers recognizing a specific employee.  Hmmm, wonder if I'll ever have a letter in them.  LOL!!!
 

 
Thanks for stopping by!  Have a very blessed day!
 
_______________________________________________
 
Update:  boxes delivered and well received.....so glad!!!!
 


Sunday, June 9, 2013

Goodies arrived in the mail!

I'm a kid at heart.  I still love getting mail!  Of course most of the mail is usually advertisements or bills....but it's really fun when "Happy Mail" arrives!  You know - mail that doesn't require a check written and returned.  And happy mail arrived this week....I am part of a great group of talented ladies on SCS in a group called Monthly Challenge where every month we get an envie full of images, papers, and embellies.  The envie this month was so cute that I couldn't wait to make a few cards!!!!!  I was able to make 3 cards with the items in the envie and wanted to share them here. 
 


 
The Father's Day card is going right out in the mail this week to one of our sons.  Now I only have to make one more Father's Day card.
 
Thanks for stopping by!!  I hope you have a blessed day!!!!!!
 
 
 


Saturday, June 8, 2013

Happy Now, Happy Forever


Sometimes you just have to make something that makes you smile.  This is one of those times - I've had this image for a while (not sure where it came from) and have never used it.  I thought it was so cute....but timing was just never right.  Today felt like a good time to bring it out and use it.  I colored it with Spectrum Noir markers and embossed the first layer with Swiss Dots embossing folder (it's one of those go-to folders!). 

 
This card is being submitted in two challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing
Inkspirational Challenges - color challenge:
 

One for the Dad's

Father's Day is right around the corner so it's only fitting that many challenges this week were for Father's Day or masculine cards. 
 
Quite honestly, Father's Day is difficult for me.  It seems like most little girls are daddy's girls...and I was no different.  I have so many memories of him.  He's been walking the streets of Heaven for 22 years now.  And even now, 22 years later, Father's Day is still one of those days that is difficult for me.  But now I have 2 sons who are fathers and so I figured I better make a couple Father's Day cards.
 
This card was made using digital images I found on Pinterest.  I thought about coloring the car, but then changed my mind.  I like the vintage look and I just wanted to keep it just as it was.  One of my favorite color combinations is black, white, and red.  It works for both masculine and feminine cards which is why I like it.  So black, white, and red it is.
 
 
I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Have I ever mentioned that we collect cats?  Not figurines.  And not the stuffed animals you buy at the toy stores.  We seem to collect the live version.  We have our two inside that - well, I must confess - basically run our lives.  They wake us up when they think it's time to get up and they tell us when it's time to go to bed.  They also think that any time my hubby walks into the kitchen that it's treat time.  But we also have a growing collection of stray cats.  It all started with Mama-kitty.  We fed her one day because she looked so skinny to us - much skinnier than she had a few weeks before.  We knew that where she was staying was not a food option any longer and we felt bad so we put some food out for her and she ate...and an hour or so later...one by one....she brought to the food dish the reason(s) she looked so skinny - there were three of them.  One of them was scooped up by someone in the neighborhood - but we continued to feed Mama and her 2 remaining kittens.  Then last year Mama added to her clan - 3 more.  So we continued to feed her, the two from her first litter and then 3 from last year.  This year we discovered that the kitty we thought was a girl was a boy...and the one we thought was a boy was a girl.  How do we know that the one is a girl - especially when these are feral cats and you can't pick them up?  Because she now has 2 babies of her own.  And then this week we saw Mama kitty laying the yard....and she's looking "thick".  UGH!  Anyone want a kitten?
 
So since we seem to be in cat-land, it's only fitting that when I saw the challenge this week at Come And Get It Challenges is "All About Cats" - well, I just had to participate!  LOL!!   The image and sentiment are from Eureka Stamps and is one that I had in my stash of stamped images.  I colored the kitties with Spectrum Noir markers.  The papers are from a swap so I have no idea the brand.  Add a piece of brown ribbon and voila!  Instant card.
 
 
I'm also entering this card into three other challenges that are all "Anything Goes":
Use It Tuesday - the papers and image/sentiment I've had for quite some time
 
 


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

HAPPY LELA DAY!!!!!!

It's June 5th and that means it's time to celebrate another "Crafty Gal"!  This month is special for me because the person we are celebrating is not just an online friend.  I am blessed to live close enough to Lela that we can meet every so often.  Our lives are busy and sometimes it seems like such a long time since we have seen each other...but when we meet up again it's like we just saw each other last week!  I can't tell you how much I admire, respect, appreciate, and value Lela.  She's such a fantastic person - so down to earth and honest.  And she has heart of gold! 
 
So the idea of celebrating a "Crafty Gal" is to head to her blog and CASE a project or make something that is inspired by her.  Lela is so amazing that she doesn't just have one blog - she has TWO: Lela's Crafty Corner  ..... and.....Living, Loving, Laughing 4 Life
 
What you learn about Lela from her blogs is that she is not only a card maker but she loves to scrapbook.  Lela's life is full of family, friends, work, faith...and she has even found time to squeeze in school too!  I told you she's amazing!!!!
 
Instead of making a card based on one of hers....I made a card inspired by her.  When Lela and I meet up (and it's always a trio because my hubby comes along too), we meet at a coffee shop.  While I can't stand to drink the stuff  and always order tea instead - Lela LOVES her coffee!  I knew what image I wanted to use for Lela's card.  The image is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers and used some papers I had in my stash from past swaps.
 
 
 
 And yes, this is Lela's card....if it hasn't made it to her mailbox yet then it will be there tomorrow.  It's and invite for coffee because I'm missing my friend.  Hope to see you soon!

I'm also submitting this card for a couple "Anything Goes" challenges: 
Created With Love Challenges
Loves Rubberstamps Challenges

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

{PIN}spirational #60 - Mermaids & the Sea

I have to tell you, I don't know where Deanne finds these photos for {PIN}spirational Challenges but every week they challenge and inspire me....and this week is no different:
 
 
I love the stillness of the photo and yet there is so much life with the sea. 
 
This week our sponsors are:
 
...and.....

 
I was able to work with "Marina" from Delicious Doodles.  The image is so strong that I didn't want to add much more to the card.  The base of the card is the green/blue design and then I just matted the image and added a few pearls.  The image was colored with Spectrum Noir markers.
 
 
So does the photo inspire you?  Create your project and link it up at {PIN}spirational Challenges.  I'm looking forward to seeing you artwork!
 
Have a very blessed day!!!!
 
 


Twist of Faith: Challenge #40 - Templates & Die Cuts


This week at Twist of Faith Card Challenges our theme is Templates and Die Cuts.  We all have them - whether you are someone who owns a machine that will cut or you have a manual machine (love my Cuttlebug!) or have templates you cut out by hand or even have purchased die cuts - we love to use them.  They add so much to our projects.  Of course the "Twist of Faith" is that your creation should also include a scripture, quote, or uplifting sentiment. 
 
Our sponsor this week is:
 
The random prize winner will receive their choice of 4 images from the SADK collection available at Whimsy Stamps ... and I will warn you now - it will be difficult selecting just 4!
 
I was able to work with "Inspirational Cross 3".  As soon as I saw the image, I knew I had to use it!  While the image did come with a bonus verse....Kathryne offers freebies weekly of scriptures and I used one of her freebies.  My die cut is a Spellbinders label for the verse.  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  And I just had to add a bit of bling. 
 
 
Why not dust off those die cuts and templates and join us this week!  I look forward to seeing you!!!!
 
And since this card does have that wonderful Bible verse on it - I'm submitting it for Word Art Wednesday