God is good

This is a statement made often by members of our church, so I decided to create a template I can use on thinking of you cards for some members.  For backing, I used some pieces from a DCWV stack I have had for a while.  There are 8 layers.  I used Spellbinder dies for the circles.
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Layer it up:   Crafting by Designs
Any, with vendor die:   Scrapyland Blog
Colors of winter:   Your Next Stamp
Any:    Angies
             Word Art Wednesday
             

Encouraging words

"God is"... image by TLC; Hello sticker by Hot off the Press (with heart); washi tape; misc papers.  At this rate, I will use up my washi tape in several decades LOL!

Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
Pattern paper:  Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper
Any:   House that Stamps Built
            Create-with TLC 
            Word Art Wednesday

Sympathy - Cross and Blossoms

I will most likely use this for a sympathy card.  The stamp, one I have had for a long time, is Cross & Blossoms,  by Paper Inspirations.  I stamped it on subtly patterned paper - all in tones of blue/blue green.  The mats and leaves are a dark teal.  The strip on the left  (patterned paper) is from a set of banner dies (Spellbinder) that I have had for a while, but have not used - so they are new to me. The leaves are from a Sizzix die, and the background is a butterfly folder by Darice.
Sketch:  Sketch-Tanten
New (banner border):   Die- Cut-Divas
                                         Penny Black at Allsorts
                                         Allsorts
Flowers:   Cuttlebug Mania 
Die Cuts:    Happy Little Stampers
Blue:    Simon Says Stamp Monday
Any & Fav. color:  Digi Stamps 4 Joy
Pattern paper:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
Any:    Polkadoodle
             
            

Starry Bethlehem - QKR Stampede challenge #272 ~ option: Non-traditional Christmas colors

The weekly challenge at QKR Stampede is always anything goes.  This week, the optional twist is to use non-traditional Christmas colors.  I used black, white and gold rather than the traditional red and green.  The image from Eureka/QKR Stampede is called Bethlehem, and the sentiment is also Eureka.  I added the starry embossed background (folder by Cuttlebug), some glittery gold cs, gold metallic ribbon, and gold gems.  The stars are colored with a metallic gold marker.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:   Catch the Bug
It's Christmas:    Crafty Calendar
Non-traditional Christmas colors:   Pile it on
                                                             Delicious Doodles Challenge 2
Spirit of the Season:   Dare 2b Artzy
 Any:   Cards Galore
            Crafting Circle  
            A Bit More Time to Craft
            Crafty Gals Corner
            Through the Craft Room Door
            Classic Design Team
            Morgans Artworld
            Crafting by Designs
            Word Art Wednesday
            Perfect Time to Craft
           












 

Confirmation Blessings to Brittany

This is another of a series of cards I am making to send to recent confirmands at our church.  For these 9th graders this is a major milestone in their faith journey.  I want to recognize this and encourage them with a card.  This image is from Sweet 'n' Sassy, and the die from cheery Lynn.   The background DP is from a pad by Paper Studio called Faith.
Sketch:    Sketch Saturday
Fall colors (10 ch max):   Dream Valley
Patterned Paper:     Dragonfly Dreams
Any:   Jo's Scrapshack
            Createfulheartcards
            Angies Digital Stamps 
             
            

Masculine in fall colors

This is for a retired pastor - the papers in a collection called "Faith", by Paper Studio, were perfect - and used several of the colors inspired by DRS.  The stamp is unlabelled.  I dusted off the Asterisk dies by Cuttlebug - as I recall, one of my first purchases from them.  I tend to forget about this set, but this one works as a bit of trim when flowers do not seem right - as in a masculine card.
Sketch:               http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
In with the old:    http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/2015/11/lawnscaping-challenge-in-with-old.html  (limit of 4 chalenges)

Colors:                http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges  
Any:                     http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-11-19T00:00:00-06:00&max-results=1

Ready to fly

Image and sentiment - Our Daily Bread; c0loring with Prismas; Sizzix embossing (I sort of pieced the way I embossed, to leave it plain under the sentiment); ribbon, misc. dp
Sketch:                            http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - wildlife:     http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Flying:                             http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
In the sky:                        http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Fave technique (dry emb.):  http://www.scrapbookblessingsclub.com/2015/09/september-challenge-anything-goes-with.html
B'day with sentiment:      http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
 http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Any:                                   http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 
                                            http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

HB, Sister in Law

 Image and Sentiment- Sing to the Lord by ODB; chalk pencils; misc. DP from my stash; shimmery champagne cs; shiny gems; Spellbinders circle dies.  The strips at the bottom are kind of a glittery embroidered felt - several similar pieces were included in a bag of ribbons from a yard sale.  I am never sure how to use these strips!
Sketch:        http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (wildlife):    http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Fav. colors (this time, teal and beige):    http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/
Stamps:       http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any:             http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
                      http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Amazing Grace

Verse by Verve; Labels 6 die by Spellbinder; Spring DP by DCWV; lace; polka dot Washi tape; hummingbird by Cheery Lynn.  (The floral design and butterfly are part of the pattern paper)
Sketch #3:   http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Lace:           http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
Colors:        http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Sentiment:  http://greatimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenge
Any:            http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/2015/08/17/challenge-35-anything-goes/
 

Christmas 2015 #10

Supplies:  cream and green cs; Unity stamps; Vines EF (QuickCutz); Cheery Lynn window and branch dies; gold sticker strip; glitter on star, tree, branches.

Sketch:           http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.co.uk/
Inspiration (window box):  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challengehttp://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
"B" - (window) box:            http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas:     http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
                        http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party  
                        http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
                        http://liveandlovecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/challenge-37-christmas-in-july.html
                        http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/      
                        http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/      
                        http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/
                        http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/

                       

Shimmery silver

I used shimmery cs in silver as well as dark grey cs.  The butterfly is Cheery Lynn, and the sentiment part of a new set from Verve.  Embossing is Swiss dots and stylized flowers.  I have to thank my friend Dorothy for pointing out this shimmery cs - I am using it a lot!
Sketch:         http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/#
Sentiment:   http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
Die cut:        http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/
Silver (or gold):  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

Peach and dark burgundy

I am not sure if the bg id dark burgundy, plum, or aubergine - whatever, I like the combination with peach.  The image is from my never ending stash, and the DP is Making Memories, I believe.  The edging is the negative of a Cuttlebug border die.  This will be used as a sympathy card.
Sketch:         http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Not square:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon:        http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Any:              http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
                

Announcing spring

This birdie seems to be announcing the arrival of spring - to me, the season begins a new year of blessings!
Pale sage cs by SU (I forget the name); bg DP in a pale gold by Making Memories; unknown scraps; image by Unity; sentiment from Verve Faith Medley; tiny flowers by Cheery Lynn.  I do not sew, and my hand drawn faux stitches often do not work well, so I used a metallic gold strip for the faux stitches.  I used some of the "negative" dots from that sticker sheet to scatter around, and for the flower centers.  Disclaimer - what appears yellow here is really more pale gold.
Sketch:     http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Color:       http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:      http://www.frosteddesigns.blogspot.ca/

Metal:        http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Beginning: http://www.addalittledazzle.com/
Wings:       http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 

Christmas in Gold and White

This card is layered on a white base.  The gold comes from a large gift bag - I often buy the metallic ones at the Dollar Tree - there is a lot of paper to use!  This one is actually a little too "intense" for my taste - I embossed with the Cuttlebug textile folder, and that tones it down a bit.  I layered some sheer ribbon on the strip.  There are snowflakes at the top and distressed stripes on the bottom, with a computer generated sentiment.  Tip - I created a full page of sentiments with slight variation in wording and shape - so I have a ready choice.  The image is by Stampendous.
Sketch (rotated):  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
White:  http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:  http://melonheadzfriends.blogspot.com/Holiday sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
 Bling:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/
Let it snow:   http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/
Traditional Christmas:   http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/

Cream and Blue Christmas

Today's challenge at Beccy's blog is to use a familiar item in an unusual way.  This card represents a couple of aspects - though they may not be readily visible.  My cards usually open from the top (just habit) and this opens from the left.  Secondly, the die cut is an opening in the blue layer, rather than have the image layer on top.  The edge is embossed.  By the way, I kind of like the way this fits the Labels 4 die.  Not much more to explain - I used a couple of ribbons and a computer sentiment.  The image is Stampendous.
Sketch:  http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/
Do it differently:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/ 
 Inspiration (the tigers became camels!):   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
 Any Christmas:     http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/
                          http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
                         http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/

Christmas 2014 - blue & white

This was also posted on SplitCoastStampers yesterday.  Here is a copy of the entry:
This is entered in the following challenges:
Sketch (rotated): http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Cool colors: http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Christmas #13 - white with one color: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2014...30758315813145
Snowflakes: http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Christmas: http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
           http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/
Holiday: http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2582876#ixzz3JQDWj1rE

Symbols of Christmas

I absolutely was not going to get more Christmas stamps - after all, I can so easily use what I have.  Well, our neighbor  had a whole box of stamps at her yard sale, and I found 2 or 3 Christmas sentiments I could use - at $1 for all I could not afford to pass them up.  Then I went to Michael's for a couple of things, and my dear hubby saw a Christmas stamp - and pretty much forced me to buy it LOL!  It is by Stampendous, and is definitely symbolic of Christmas, with the star Bethlehem, and the wise men.  I used a gold gift bag to do the mat and the Cheery Lynn pine branches.  The bg is from the Faith stack by Paper Studio.  A strip of metallic gold ribbon completes the layout.
Sketch (rotated):  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au / 
Symbols of Christmas: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Any: http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas :   http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november-2014.html
Holiday:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

Christmas 2014 - embossed

Image by Santa Rosa; computer sentiment; chevron Washi tape; Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes EF.  I really like white on white cards so I am trying cream on cream (the black mat is for photo contrast only).  Oh yes, I could mass produce this one!
Sketch, with chevron:  http://poppysketches.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
 Good ol' days/vintage look:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Spiritual:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
Any:  http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com/2014/10/challenge-103-anything-goes.html
         http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
         http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Stripes:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/

Traditional Christmas

Creating a traditional Christmas card is second nature - nearly all of mine are traditional with a message reminding us of the importance of the first Christmas.  I think this stamp is by Santa Rosa, and the sentiment is a yard sale find from today - by Stampoori (dated 1995!).  I used the last scrap of this ribbon (it has a metallic edge), some pearls,  and the Cuttlebug snowflake EF.  The star is enhanced with glitter.
Sketch:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
Any, with sparkle:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Song:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Glitter/sparkle:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html?showComment=1414839841807#c3699530758315813145
Add a sentiment:   http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Let's see some blue (Christmas):   http://suzysmarty1.blogspot.co.uk/   (completely Christmas)

Blessings

I need to add to my stash of cards to send for encouragement.  I used DP from the Paper Studio Faith stack - lots of wonderful papers that are lasting forever!  The scroll is a Spellbinders die, and the sentiment is half of a JustRite sentiment.
Sketch #5:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.com/
Die cut:  http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/