Be Joyful

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

These are verses I memorized years ago and they are written on my heart. There are times when I still need to remember not to be anxious, but I eventually listen to my heart saying these verses. I didn't really understand what the "peace of God" was until I experienced it. It's having peace inside you, even when you're going through heartbreaking situations and trials. It does "surpass ALL understanding" and you know it comes from GOD alone. Praise the Lord for His wonderful promises!


I love, love, love what I do. I am passionate about the things I create and the talents God has placed in me. I SO appreciate the time you take to look at my things and the comments you all leave me!

Blessings to you!

Kathy

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Word Art Wednesday - Your Word

Happy Wednesday everyone!

This is my second week as a guest designer for Word Art Wednesday!  Today, for Challenge # 75, we are using this beautiful verse from Jeremiah 15:16 about the joy and rejoicing that God's Word brings! 


To me, "eating" God's Word means to know it, learn it, study it, ponder it...have it 'written on my heart' so that it is part of me.  This fills my heart with joy and I rejoice in the promises that God's Word gives me.  I pray that you have "found" God's Word and it brings you joy!

This is my card for this week using this beautiful Verse.






I started by cutting the Verse with Labels Four Die, the matting it with Gold Labels Four from Spellbinders.  I created a mat with some beautiful Springtime Vintage Designer Papers from Stampin' Up and Baja Breeze, added a strip of ribbon and Very Vanilla embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  I popped this on a Very Vanilla card base that was embossed with the Framed Tulips Folder.  I added a Baja Breeze bow, resin flower, pearls, and an Elegant Scrollwork Diecut.

Card recipe:

Paper: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Springtime Vintage Designer Paper (SU)
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding (SU), Labels Four, Gold Labels Four (Spellbinders), Bow-Easy, resin flower (Recollections), adhesive pearls (K&Co), Elegant Scrollwork Die (Memory Box), Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (SU)

I hope you can join in the challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday for a chance to win some wonderful prizes!  You may use this word art verse for your card or anything uplifting or encouraging. 

Blessings!

Kathy
 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

ODBDSLC149 - Other Than A Clasic Square or Rectangle

Happy Tuesday everyone!

It's time for a new Shining the Light Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs!

This week's challenge is:

Other than a Classic Square or rectangle (Can have fancy edges
or have a different shape)


To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, April 14 at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.


While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, April 14 at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC149. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Here is my card for the challenge this week...






My card base is made with the Labels One Grand Die placing the top edge of the card base slightly above the die edge.  This beautiful frame image is from the new Romantic Floral Designs Stamp Set.  I stamped the sentiment from the Sentiments Collection first on designer paper, then stamped the frame image over it.  The frame image is a clear stamp so it was PERFECT for me lining it up over the sentiment!  I just love that!  The frame image is cut with the Labels 26 Die that matches the frame.  I cut a piece of black cardstock with Decorative Labels One to mat behind the image.  I then added some pearls, a flower and branches.  Very, very simple card to make!

Here are the stamp sets on used on this:







Here is the matching Labels 26 Dies for the frame image:




Card recipe:

Stamps: Romantic Floral Designs, Sentiments Collection (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: The Mariposa Stack (Recollections), green cardstock (DCWV), black
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Accessories: Labels One Grand, Decorative Labels One, Labels 26 (Spellbinders), branch punch, adhesive pearls, flower

For more inspiration on the challenge this week, please visit my design teammates to see their beautiful creations.  We also have the super talented Gloria Stengel as a Guest Designer for April and May!  Make sure to stop by and leave them some love!  You can also see all the creations in one place on the ODBD Blog!
 

Blessings!

Kathy
 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Flourishes - Thank You Tag

Happy Saturday everyone!

Today I have a thank you tag I made for the latest Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday Challenge #FTTC214 - Wrap It With Ribbon - 2 layers ribbon or combine twine together. 

Here is a picture of the tag flat.


 
 
Here is a picture of it standing up.
 



This is my first attempt to make a tag, it's about time I tried one of these!  I colored this flower image with pencils and mineral spirits and cut it with the Timeless Rectangles Die.  I added a little bit of a brown mat behind it.  The tag is made from the same brown paper and a parchment type paper I had in my stash.  I punched the bottom corners and added the sentiment between them.  I added lots of twine, jute, and ribbon for the "tassell" and a couple of bows and a button.

I'm also submitting this to the latest Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #RRR69 - Buttons & Bowns Theme.

Tag recipe:

Stamps: With Graditude (Flourishes)
Paper: Natural White (Neenah), Mocha Devine (Bazzills), parchment paper (stash)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Accessories: Timeless Rectangles (Spellbinders), Budding Flower Corner Punch (Fiskers), Bow-Easy, twine, ribbon, jute, hole punch, mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Jasmine, Sand, Yellow Ochre, Goldenrod, Espresso, Chocolate, Kelp Green, Black

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy
 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Heartfelt Creations Inspiration

Happy Wednesday!

***It's time to vote for the new Heartfelt Creations' Design Team! 

Here's a little blurb from their website:

Vote for your favorite Semifinalists: We would love to have you particpate and vote your 5 favorite semi-finalists. Review each one of their blogs and then CLICK HERE to submit your vote. When you vote, you will also be entered into a drawing to be eligible to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate. You can only vote one time and you have to select 5 or more to be eligible to participate. Voting ends on April 13th, 2013
Vote for your favorite Designers: When we announce a new design team call that also means that we have a tough time deciding which of the current designers continue on the HC design team. We are giving you the opportunity to get involved and vote for 5 or more of your current favorite design team members. You can CLICK HERE and submit your vote. When you vote, you will also be entered into a drawing to be eligible to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate. You can only vote one time and you have to select 5 or more to be eligible to participate. Voting ends on April 13th, 2013.
If you like my creations for them, would you please visit their blog and vote for me? I love working with their products and would LOVE to continue with them as a designer! You will also have a chance to win their drawing for the $50 gift certificate if you vote.  Thank you so much!

 
***********************************************

Now on to my creations for this week!  Today I have 2 cards to show you, one of a mountain scene and the other of a covered bridge.  First, here is the mountain scene...



(Click on the photo for a better view)


The mountain image was stamped on watercolor paper and colored with Tombow Markers.  Please be kind, my feeble attempt to color with markers...I think I'll stick with my pencils! 

The second, is a covered bridge scene...


 
(Click on image for a better view)

This time I did my normal Prismacolor Pencils and mineral spirits.  This scene reminds me of a beautiful covered bridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire that I remember from my younger days!

For both cards I used the Vintage Floret Frame to frame the image.  Note, I didn't fussy cut this, it has a matching die to cut it!  It comes out beautiful whether you color it or not!

For more inspiration, please visit the Heartfelt Creations' Blog to see what all the talented designers have come up with this week for you! 

Thank you for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy



Mountain Scene
Heartfelt Creations Products & Products Carried by HC:
HCPC 3526 – Natural Beauty PreCut Set
HCPC 3522 – Vintage Floret Frame PreCut Set
HCD 731 – Decorative Leafy Frame Die
Product ID: 159723 – Art InstituteGlue – Dries Clear

Other Products Used:
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), watercolor, blue cardstock
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Black (Momento), Aegean Blue, Spanish Olive, Jumbo Java (VersaMagic)
Accessories: Adhesive pearls (Recollections), make up applicators, sponge, Tombow Markers: 451, 491, 526, 126, 969, waterbrush

Instructions:
Card base: With blue cardstock, cut 8 1/2" x 6 1/8”, score at 4 1/4", and crease.
Image: Stamp Vintage Floret Frame image on Solar White with Onyx Black Ink and color with VersaMagic Inks and make up applicators.  Stamp mountain scene image on watercolor paper with Black Momento Ink.  Color with markers or as desired.  Trim mountain scene image to fit behind frame opening and glue to back.  Add pearls and add frame to card base with pop dots.

 

Covered Bridge
Heartfelt Creations Products & Products Carried by HC:
HCPC 3526 – Natural Beauty PreCut Set
HCPC 3522 – Vintage Floret Frame PreCut Set
HCPC 3500 – Open Vintage Floret PreCut Set
HCPC 3502 – Mini Vintage Floret PreCut Set
HCD 731 – Decorative Leafy Frame Die
HCD 727 – Vintage Floret Die
HCPD1 231 – Posy Patch Paper Collection
Product ID: 159223 - Paper BlossomsMolding Mat
Product ID: 459222 - Paper BlossomsTool Kit
Product ID: 159723 – Art InstituteGlue – Dries Clear

Other Products Used:
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), black
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Accessories: Adhesive pearls (Want-2-Scrap), mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Powder Blue, Light Umber, Black, Marine Green, Henna, Tuscan Red, Kelp Green, Chocolate

Instructions:
Card base: With black cardstock, cut 8 1/2" x 6 1/8”, score at 4 1/4", and crease.
Image: Stamp covered bridge image on Solar White with Onyx Black Ink and color as desired.  Stamp flowers, 2 small from Open Vintage Floret Set and 1 largest open from Mini Vintage Floret Set, and color.  Shape with tool kit and mat.  On light green designer paper, stamp frame image and ink edges if desired.  Trim covered bridge image to fit behind frame opening and glue to back.  Add pearls and add frame to card base with pop dots.



 

Word Art Wednesday Guest Designer

Hi there!

As I announced on Wednesday,  I am a Guest Designer this month for Word Art Wednesday!  I almost always play in their challenges, and I'm very honored to be asked by Karen to join them! 

For this week's challenge, the sponsors are Lisa's Altered Art and Eureka Stamps.  The Scripture/Word Art for this week is Psalm 91:11.


You may use this for your creation this week, but are not required to.  Anything goes as long as it is framily-friendly and uses an encouraging, uplifting sentiment.

Here is my card for the challenge this week:



(Click on the photo for a better view)

I printed the Scripture on white cardstock and cut it using Labels 20 Dies.  The card base is Baja Breeze.  I cut a white mat using Romantic Rectangles and added a piece of Parisian Breeze Designer Paper (one of my favorite dp that I save for special occasions).  I added the Scripture die cut with pop dots and embellished it with flowers, butterflies, pearls and a bow.  The largest flower was made with Heartfelt Creations' Vintage Floret Dies.

Card Recipe:

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Parisian Breeze (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Printer ink, Aegean Blue (VersaMagic)
Accessories: Flower punch (EKSuccess), Embosslits Beautiful Wings (SU), Vintage Floret Die (Heartfelt Creations), Labels 20, Romantic Rectangles (Spellbinders), Bow-Easy, White Seam Binding (Really Reasonable Ribbon), adhesive pearls, White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Elegant Scrollwork Die (Memory Box), McGill Tool Kit & Mat

Thank you for stopping by today!  Hope to see you join in the WAW challenge this week!

Blessings!

Kathy


 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

CottageCutz - Garden Thank You

Happy Wedesday!

Today I have a card to show you using 2 CottageCutz' Dies, Garden Bird Branch and Butterfly Mini.


(Click on photo for a better view)

I cut the butterfly and branch using green cardstock and shaped the branch a little.  I cut them again with white cardstock and colored the pieces with chalk inks.  The birds and flowers were added with pop dots onto the first layer.  I embossed the top portion of the white mat with an embossing folder and stamped a sentiment on the bottom.  I wrapped ribbon around the mat and glued all the pieces down.  I then added a bow and some liquid pearls.

I love this little butterfly die, I didn't much to it and it came out so cute!  The branch will be good to used for the birds alone and the branch pieces to add to other creations and dies.

These are the dies that I used on this:






Card Recipe:

Stamp: Flourished Verses (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), green (DCWV Stack), Wisteria (Coredinations)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Purple Hydrangea, Aegean Blue, Spanish Olive (VersaMark)
Accessories: Make-up applicators, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, heart pearl, White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Bow-Easy, White Silk Ribbon (May Arts), McGill Mat & Tool Kit

Thank you for stopping by today!

Blessings!

Kathy

 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Word Art Wednesday Guest Designer

Happy Monday everyone!

Just a quick post to let you know I will be a Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday this month!  I'm very excited to be asked to design for them and their challenges!  I love to participate in them and frequently play along!  You can read more about it on their Blog today!  Check back on Wednesday to see my first challenge with them!

Blessings!

Kathy

Sunday, March 31, 2013

JustRite - Thinking of You

Hi there!

I made this card for the latest challenge at JustRite, Challenge #093 - Suddenly Spring! 




This is my first time using the Violette Vintage Labels Stamps, they are so pretty and fun to color!  I decide on purples and yellows for colors and colored them with pencils and mineral spirits.   I also added some Buttercup Liquid Pearls to the flower centers and the strips in the background of the stamp.  The sentiment is cut and popped on the main image.

The dies behind the image are from brand new toys I just got in the mail Saturday called Timeless Rectangles from Spellbinders.  I LOVE the lacy look of the outside edges...just gorgeous and fun to layer with!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: Violette Vintage Labels (JustRite)
Paper: Solar White, Natural Whtie (Neenah), So Saffron (SU), The Chateau Lavender Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Accessories: Buttercup Liquid Pearls (Ranger), White Silk Ribbon (May Arts), adhesive pearls, Bow-Easy, mineral spirits, Vintage Label & Banner Dies (JustRite), Timeless Rectangles (Spellbinders), Prismacolor Pencils: Olive Green, Kelp Green, Eggshell, Yellow Ochre, Parma Violet, Violet, Dioxazine Purple Hue, Lavender

Along with our spring inspired creation, we are to say what spring means to us. For me, now living is Southern California, it's almost hard to tell when it's spring! After growing up in Boston and living in New Hampshire for many years, I'm still in awe of how beautiful the weather is here. We do have some trees that kind of went dormant for the "winter" and are now full bloom. I love the yellowy green of when they are first blooming! Other than that though, it's hard to tell!

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

JustRite Chalenge JRC093 - Suddenly Spring
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #73 - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by today!

Blessings!

Kathy
 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Heartfelt Creations - Butterfly Box & Cards Set

Happy Wednesday everyone!

***It's time to vote for the new Heartfelt Creations' Design Team!  If you like my creations for them, would you please visit their blog and vote for me?  I love working with their products and would LOVE to continue with them as a designer!  Thank you so much!

***************************

Now, for some inspiration from Heartfelt Creations!  This week I have a set of coordinating cards with a matching gift box.



(You can click on the photos for a closer look.)


Here's a close up of the top of the box.


Here is a picture of all the cards together with 2 of the 6 matching envelopes, 1 in burgandy colors and the rest in blues.



These are all made using the designer papers from the collection.  One has the sentiment stamped on it with a journal block, the rest are all made with sentiment blocks from the papers.  Really easy to put together a pretty set of matching cards for a special gift using these!  Here are pictures of the individual cards. 








Basic instructions for my project are at the end of this post.

For lots more inspiration, please visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see what the design team has created for you this week!

I'm submitting this to the flollowing challenges:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #73 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #140 - Something Dimensional - box

Thank you for stopping by today!  I hope this gives you a little inspiration!

Blessings!

Kathy


Butterfly Box & Cards Set

Heartfelt Creations Products & Products Carried by HC:
HCPC 3518 – Vintage Watering Can PreCut Set
HCD 729 – Decorative Blossom Die
HCDP1 231 – Posy Patch Paper Collection
Product ID: 159223 - Paper BlossomsMolding Mat
Product ID: 459222 - Paper BlossomsTool Kit
Product ID: 159723 – Art InstituteGlue – Dries Clear

Other Products Used:
Paper: Solar White, Natural White (Neenah), cream, light blue (Recollections), Pacific Rim, Purple Grandeaur (Coredinations)

Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Accessories: Various embossing folders, Buttercup Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Classic Ovals & Scalloped Ovals Large (Spellbinders), mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Slate Grey, Periwinkle, Kelp Green, Marine Green, Black Grape, Black

Instructions:
Box: Use A-2 Box Tutorial on Split Coast Stampers here with Natural White Cardstock.  (Note: Assemble cover after decorating.)   Stamp flower swirl on each of 4 sides of box and color.  Stamp Butterfly image and extra flowers on Solar White with Onyx Black Ink.  Fussy cut pieces.  Die cut Decorative Blossom largest die with Natural White twice.  Add to opposite corners of cover with glue.  Add butterfly and flowers as shown with pop dots.  Add liquid pearls to flower centers and as desired around image.

Cards:  Set of 6 - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" sized cards were made using Natural White Cardstock as base and various embossing folders.  Use sentiment blocks from the Posy Patch Paper Collection and add mats as desired.  Envelopes were stamped on lower front and back flap with flower swirls and colored to match cards as desired.

 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

ODBDSLC148 He is Risen

Happy Tuesday everyone!

It's time for a new Shining the Light Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs!


This week's challenge is: He is Risen with pastels (a project or card displaying a cross, verse, or sentiment about the true meaning of Easter (not commercialized...bunnies...) This challenge will last 2 weeks!!

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC148. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Here is my creation for the challenge this week...


Our Daily Bread Designs - I Am the Way


I used the I Am the Way Stamp Set for this beautiful Verse and cut it with the Floral Ovals Die.  These designer papers are OLD ones from my stash, but I just love the soft colors.  To give them a little texture, I embossed them with an embossing folder.  You can click on the photo for a better view.

Card recipe:

Stamps: I Am the Way (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: Natural White (Neenah), designer papers
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Accessories: Paper Lace II Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Medium Branch Punch, charm Cream Seam Binding (Really Reasonable Ribbon), resin flower (Michaels), Floral Ovals Die (Spellbinders), adhesive pearls, Bow-Easy, brad

For more inspiration on the challenge this week, please visit my design teammates to see their beautiful creations or the ODBD' Blog to see them all in one place!  We also have a new Guest Designer with us the next 2 months, the very talented  Gloria Stengel!  I can't wait to see what Gloria comes up with for our challenges!
 

 I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday #72 - Anything Goes
Really Reasonable Ribbon #68 - Flowers & Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy