Simple Prayers

The first time I saw this stamp set,I knew I wanted to make a simple black and white card with the images. My sweet friend, Nancy Littrell, shared her Fifth Avenue Floral set with me (thanks Nance!). She showed me some fabulous, colorful cards she's made with it. Her SCS gallery is full of amazing creations, you can see them all right HERE. Even after all her colorful inspiration, my card ended up being, black & white :) ! I love the simplicity of it and the clean lines. I used the Praying For You sentiment from the Thoughts and Prayers set, along with the new scallop oval punch (available April 1st in the Occasions Mini Catalog). Here's a closer look at some of the dimension on the card, created by stamping an extra flower, cutting it out and popping it up on Dimensionals, as well as adding touches of Clear Spica Glitter Pen & Crystal Effects to a few of the petals. Those are two products that I use all the time and the good news is, they're really inexpensive. A bottle of Crystal Effects costs about $6 and will last you a long, long time. And those clear Spica Glitter pens are a steal at less than $3 each. If you're looking for an inexpensive way to add shimmer and shine to your cards, I highly recommend both.

During Nancy's visit, she also showed me her new Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die.

I ran a few through my Big Shot, then promptly added one of the dies to the SU order I was placing that evening. It creates an instant, gorgeous floral impression that can be layered or used alone to create a card. You can see the simply gorgeous card Nancy created with it right HERE. Isn't that stunning?

These are two styles of cards that I'm likely to make extras of to keep in my stash. A great card to send off to a friend, to let them know you're thinking of them and praying for them.

Thanks for stopping by. My classes begin tomorrow, so my posts will be a little less frequent, probably once or twice a week during Spring Term ... it's gonna be tough, but studying is going to have to come before stamping :) ! Have a great week.

Supplies for the first card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Thoughts and Prayers Paper: Basic Black, PT White Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Spica Glitter Pen (clear), Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Supplies for the second card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers Paper: Basic Black, PT White, Bashful Blue Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Manhatten Textured Impressions Die, Big Shot, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Stamp-a-majig

Pat The Bad Dog

Well...Pat's not really bad, just being a little silly :) ! I had a super fun time stamping with Cami (stamp a little love baby) earlier this week. She and her daughter Avery are the sweetest girls you'll ever meet (seriously!). We played with some of her OCL stamps and this image worked beautifully for this week's SCS sketch challenge (SC221). You can see the entire Pat the Bad Dog set right HERE. And, I have something new to show you. Do you see that sparkly, fluffy "dirt"? It's- Brown Sugar Sparkly Fluff and it will be available very soon,anyday now, at OCL!! It comes in a TON of colors and it's soooo easy to use. I love the texture and hint of sparkle it adds. I colored the area with Copic E31 (great for sand & dirt), then used a Quickie Glue Pen and drew glue onto the areas I want to "fluff", then sprinkled on a little fluff, tapped off the excess and whaa-laa! Super easy and I love the results. The DP is from the Penny Lane collection by My Mind's Eye. I'm really diggin' (as Pat would say) that DP! My finishing touch was adding Crystal Effects to the dog food,dog dish and Pat's nose. I can't seem to make a card without Crystal Effects these days. It adds such great shine and dimension.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by. I have more fun stuff to show you...soon :) !! Have an awesome day!

Supplies for the card (size 5" square) ~ Stamps: Pat the Bad Dog Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Neenah White, Penny Land DP Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Copic Markers, Brown Sugar Sparkle Fluff, Quickie Glue Pen, Sakura Clear Glaze Pen, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, SU 5/16" Brown Brads, Crystal Effects, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack

Hoppy Anna Mae

I'm back :) ! I've been out of town for a few days, visiting the grandbaby and picking up my youngest, Megan, from college. We're enjoying a little time together during spring break. I made this card for her last week (finals week) and when I got to her apartment she had it proudly displayed!! And now that she's received it...I can show it to you too. I used the OCL stamps,Hoppy Anna Mae (girl) and Pean-nut Bunny (sentiment). OCL just started a Spring Sale...all the Easter sets are 15% off !! Just in time for Easter!!! I used SCS Sketch Challenge (SC219). Really fun little layout, one I hadn't tried before.
Since I've been out of town, I haven't done much stamping, but I do have several projects on the workbench and a BIG Stampin Up box full of goodies to unload, ...so I'll have more to show you later this week. And, I have a new picture of Chloe to share with you, taken on the first day of spring :) ! 3 months old and up to a little over 10 pounds!! Look at those chubby little cheeks. I know I'm a little partial...but come on, you've got to admit, she is such a cutie!! I'm glad you stopped by, hope your week is extra nice!

Supplies for the card (size 4 1/2 square) ~ Stamps: Hoppy Anna Mae, Pea-nut Bunny Paper: Tea Party DP, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Neenah White Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Copic Markers, Small & Large Oval punches, non SU polka dot ribbon & button brads (sorry, these were just in my collection...don't remember the brand), Sakura clear glaze pen, Spica glitter pens

ODBD Anniversary Grand Finale

Today is the grand finale for the Our Daily Bread Design's First Anniversary Celebration ! Check out the Blog Hop & your chance to win...details are right HERE. Today's cards were made with 2 brand-new stamp sets that were created using favorite scriptures from the Design Team. You can check out those new sets HERE! As a former member, Kelley even let me pick one..."my" scripture stamp is Micah 6:8. It's one of my life verses. I think of Jesus when I see this verse. He gave us such a good example of what it looks like to Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with God. So that's my scripture and my scripture stamp!!

The next card features the scripture submitted by DT member Lorelie Kim...Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~

Don't you just love the font and style of these scriptures? I think they're just beautiful. They are treasures and can't wait to try out every last one of 'em! And the fun part... I'll think of the DT girls when I use their scripture! Now that's a win-win situation :) !!

I pulled out my retired SU set, Never Ending Joy, for the tulips. After stamping the flowers (I used markers), I painted on some Golden Wheat & Pink Poinesetta Shimmerz. After that dried (about 5 minutes) I covered 'em with Crystal Effects to really make 'em pop! I painted some touches of Celery Shimmerz on the stems and leaves too.

This next scripture was selected by none other than the most wonderful Kelley Holland ...owner of ODBD. She chose Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ The card is simple, but all in all...I think I like it. What do you think? I know I like the scripture, that's for sure :) !

Be sure to do a little ODBD blog hopping and get yourself signed up for some fantastic prizes !! Hope YOU win! Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies for the first card (size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4) ~ Stamps: Scripture Collection 2 (ODBD) & Thoughts an prayers (the branch) (SU) Paper: Black, White, Sage Shadow, Retired SU DP Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Tools/Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Ticket Corner Punch, Sakura Clear Glaze pen, Kaiser self-adhesive pearls Supplies for the second card (size 4 1/2 x 3 3/4) ~ Stamps: Scripture Collection 1 (ODBD) & Never Ending Joy (retired SU) Paper: Tea Party DP, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, White Ink: Chocolate Chip & SU Markers Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, So Saffron & Certainly Celery Tools/Accessories: Nesatbilities Label 1, Shimmerz, Crystal Effects, May Arts yellow polka dot ribbon Supplies for the last card (size 4 1/2" square) ~ Stamps: Scripture Collection 2 (ODBD) Paper: Good Morning Sunshine DP, Kiwi Kiss, Choc Chip, White Ink: Chocolate Chip Tools/Accessories: Nestabilities Long Scalloped Rectangles, Paper piercing tool, Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Ruth

My friend Ruth will be celebrating her 84th birthday next week. She loves cats, crafts and working with yarn, so I think she'll really like her card. Kit the Kat, from Our Craft Lounge, is covered in Gray Fluff (coming soon to OCL). I colored the cat with Copic N1 & N3, with some pink touches with R81 & R83...then added some 2-way glue, sprinkled with fluff, tapped off the excess and whaa-laa I had a soft, furry, fluffy cat :) ! If you double-click on the photo, you can see the fluff detail a little better. I've kept the Tea Party DP on my workbench all week. I'm really enjoying those fun spring colors. The Birthday sentiment is from the SU set, Bitty Birthday. Here's a close-up of that Kitty ~
That's it for today. I'm in the middle of doing a little Spring Cleaning, so I'd better get back to work. Thanks for stopping by... hope your day is blessed with joy :) !

Supplies for the card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Kit the Kat, Bitty Birthday Paper: Afternoon Tea DP, Regal Rose, Neenah White Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura clear glaze pen, Sm & Lg Oval punches, Gold Brad, 1/4" gg Saffron ribbon, 2-way glue pen, Gray fluff

Happy Anniversary ODBD

Our Daily Bread Designs is celebrating their 1 year Anniversary! Congrats Kelley, I'm so proud of you and happy for your success!! As a former DT member, I have the honor of taking part in the celebration! Be sure to check out all the posts this week for your chance to win some fun prizes :)

March 10: Amy & Angel

March 11: Holly &Lorelie & Nancy
March 12: Angella & Chris
March 13: Betty & Dina
March 14:Jane & Judy
March 15: Angie & Sita

March 16: Becca & Laurie

I used the gorgeous Light Of The World set for my first card. It was the very first set that Kelley released one year ago, and still one of my favorites. That scripture is one of my favorites too!! I colored the lighthouse image with Copic Markers, then painted on some highlights with Shimmerz. Angel did a tutorial on Shimmerz yesterday...you can check it out right HERE! She did a wonderful job of showing a variety of techniques and ways to use Shimmerz! I added Crystal Effects to create "glass" for the lighhouse. You can double click on the photo to see those shimmery/shiny details.The new Parisian Breeze Specialty DP from SU worked beautifully for both my cards. I really like Baja Breeze & Chocolate Chip together.

For my second card I used the Sing To The Lord set! I plan on stamping a scripture inside the card...there are several great choices...so I can select one specially for the person I send the card to. You can check out the entire set, including the scriptures and sentiment right HERE :) !

This little bird and branch create such a beautiful springtime image. Perfect for this time of year. I used Copic Markers BG72, R81, 83 & 85, Y35, E31, E25, YG95 & C1. The new SU Eyelet Border Punch provided a nice soft touch, along with the White & Pink Taffeta Ribbons. And the finishing touches were the Dew Drops.

That's about it for me. I hope you enjoy hopping around to the ODBD blogs this week and be sure to get signed up for those prizes!! Thanks for stopping by :) Happy Wednesday!

March Divine Design

It's the 9th and that means it's time to post our monthly Divine Design Bible Verse Challenge projects! I made my monthly bookmark and used Psalm 25:5 ~ Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. I love this passage. It's my prayer. And thanks to the bookmark, I'll be focusing on this scripture and memorizing it this month. Are YOU playing along with the challenge? If you are....great! If not, you can join anytime. The rules are simple and you can find them right HERE. And remember to use the keyword BVC09 when you upload to the SCS gallery!

Need some inspiration? Here's a link to the other Scripture Chicks and their amazing March projects ~

Angel Wilde: Angelosity
Lori Craig: Make a Difference
Taylor VanBruggen: Taylored Expressions
Jami Bova: Stamp Happy

I wanted to apologize for not leaving more comments in the BVC09 (Divine Design) gallery & thread over at SCS. My schedule these past 3 months has been just crazy. After being gone for 2 months, we've had company for 2 of the last 3 weeks. It appears that things are getting back to normal around our house (except for me having the flu this weekend) ... so I look forward to checking out the BVC09 gallery this week! Can't wait to see what YOU've created :) !!!

Miss Chloe came to visit last week. She loves bath time. I took this picture of her enjoying a bath in my kitchen sink. Our little miracle baby! And...I wanted to share some news with you. I've decided to return to school! As of March 30th, I'll be a full time college student. My intended major is nursing, but I'm leaving a few other options open. God's been tugging at my heart for a while and I knew some changes were coming. I'm really excited for this new opportunity to work toward my bachelor degree. I hope to take that degree into the mission field one day. I'll continue with Divine Design (of course!) and look forward to stamping and posting when I have free time. I'll also be continuing as an SU demo, but for now, won't be doing any design work so that I can focus my attention on my studies.

I'm taking part in Our Daily Bread Design's Anniversary Celebration this week. My "official" post will be on Wednesday but I wanted to give you a little sneak peek today. I was on Kelley's original Design Team when she kicked things off one year ago...and the first set she released was Light of the World ...and that's the stamp set I used for today's card. It's still one of my favs! You can check out the fun at these blogs, beginning tomorrow ~

March 10: Amy & Angel

March 11: Holly &Lorelie & Nancy
March 12: Angella & Chris
March 13: Betty & Dina
March 14:Jane & Judy
March 15: Angie & Sita

March 16: Becca & Laurie

Thanks for stopping by. See you back on Wednesday for some ODBD Anniversary Fun :) !!!

Supplies for the bookmark (size 6 x 3) ~ Stamps: none, computer generated scripture Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Tea Party DP Ink: Computer pink Tools/Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, 1", 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle punches, Boho Blossoms punch, Saffron Button, White floss, 1/4" Saffron gg ribbon

Supplies for the card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Light of The World Paper: Tea party DP, Regal Rose, Neenah White Ink: Elegant Eggplant Tools/Accessories: 5/8" Regal Rose gg ribbon, Celery button, Paper piercing tool/mat pack, Dimensionals

Hoot Hoot Hooray!

...and Happy Birthday! Man, I am totally LOVING this Owl Together Now set from SU !! You know how it is when you see a stamp set in a catalog or online and instantly love it? Well this set was love at first sight for me and since inking it up, I think I love it even more. It's been especially great for quick, easy cards. I made this card for Jeani, who celebrated her birthday last week. Hey Jeani...hope your day was super happy :) !

I used some of my gorgeous new SU Specialty Designer Paper, Parisian Breeze . It's textured and cover weight cardstock, so it worked great as a base for my card. I used the Happy Birthday sentiment from my All Holidays set. And of course, I colored the owl and branch with my Copic Markers!

Here's a peek at the inside ~

Hey, I have the pleasure of helping Our Daily Bread Designs celebrate their one-year Anniversary next week! Here's some of the fun things you can look forward to checking out:

Each day March 10-16 the Design Team members will be posting fun stuff on their blogs and will be giving away Blog Candy! We will be giving away a set a day! But you will have to visit each one to see where it is! And who wouldn't love a tutorial on Scor-Pal, 3D boxes, Polyshrink, Glimmer Mist and Shimmerz? We will have all that and more!
March 10: Amy & Angel

March 11: Holly &Lorelie & Nancy
March 12: Angella & Chris
March 13: Betty & Dina
March 14:Jane & Judy
March 15: Angie & Sita

March 16: Becca & Laurie

That's about it for today. Thanks for stopping by & I hope you have a great day!! Next post will be Monday... my monthly Divine Design Bookmark project. See you then :) !!

Supplies for today's card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Owl Together Now & All Holidays Paper: Pariasian Breeze Specialty DP, Chocolate Chip, Neenah White Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Copic Markers, Crystal Effects, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" brown grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Sakura clear glaze pen, Spica clear glitter pen, dimensionals, pewter brads

who-la-la

I fell in love with these owls the first time
I open the Spring Summer SU Idea Book & Catalog. It's called Owl Together now. I finally got to ink it up last week and had so much fun making this anniversary card. I used Copic Markers for coloring, Sparkly Pink Fluff on the hearts (coming soon from OCL!) and my brand new, To The Nines, textured DP. Those owl eyes are covered in Crystal Effects, which totally gives them that googly eye effect ;) ! You can double click on the photo to get a closer look at the details.

I also made a birthday card with this set...I'll show that to you later this week :) !

Here's the inside ~ I used the Hugs & Wishes set for the sentiment. It's one of my "most reached for" sentiment sets!...

Supplies used~ (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Owl Together Now, Hugs & Wishes Paper: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Neenah White, To the Nines DP Ink: Ranger Distressed Black Soot Accessories: Copic Markers, Scallop Edge Punch, Pink Sparkly Fluff, Crystal Effects, Brown satin ribbon, Pink Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for stopping by :) ... Enjoy your day!!!

Happy Birthday Katie

Super quick post to show you one of 3 cards I made last week. This one was for my daughter (Katie's) birthday! She loves dragons and she's very musical, so I combined 2 of OCL's super fun new sets, Drake the Dragon and Star Rocks. I also used some pink sparkle fluff on the dragon's wings...coming soon to Our Craft Lounge!!

Katie & her family have been visiting so I still haven't had much stamping time, but I'm having such a fun time with the baby :) ! Here's a picture of Miss Chloe. She's almost 3 months old and nearly 9 pounds. Such a sweet, sweet girl! Doesn't she look happy?

and here's a close-up of that dragon :) ~and the inside ... with a gift card tucked inside ~ and a close-up of the inside dragon image :) ~

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm off to enjoy a little more family time :) !!!