Stand Here...for Kisses

Hello, sweet friends, and happy December to you all!

It's time to really get going on my Christmas cards. I have been making cards and have been making duplicate cards, printing off four on a page and cutting them down to color. Then I begin constructing them, one process at a time. We'll see how many I actually finish. 

Today's sweet digital stamp set is a darling sprig of mistletoe called Stand Here: "When you just need to have that Christmas kiss, like, right now. All you have to do is print out this bunch of mistletoe tied up in a bow! With two sentiments for your holiday loves. Illustrated with a whole lotta love by Marcella Hawley."

I started by pulling the larger sentiment into GIMP (the free photo-editing software available for both Windows and the Mac). I wanted to make the "with extra kisses" green to match my designer paper. I did a "save as" so as not to overwrite the original image. Then I pulled in my altered image along with the mistletoe into Microsoft Word and resized them to fit my layout.

I colored the mistletoe with Copic markers and then used some colored pencils to add some shading. (My sweet husband bought me an early Christmas gift of Prismacolor pencils, and I am just starting to get used to them.) I then used color pencils to color in "Merry Christmas" to give it an ombre look. The pencils left a nice waxy/shiny finish, and I added some Wink of Stella in strategic places on the bow and the berries. Then the fun (for me at least...not really...hehe!) begins in constructing the card, making sure the mats are even with my Mini Perfect Layers tool. The finishing touch was the little heart button threaded with some DMC floss. Obviously, this is for my dear husband (who has seen it), but he will still enjoy it on Christmas day!

During this Advent season, with all of the festivities and celebration, there are many who are feeling heightened grief at the loss of family and friends. However, we remember the consummate gift that God our Father gave us in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While we celebrate the birth of Christ, it's also a time to remember God's deep love and promise to always take care of His beloved children. 

My God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call His name Immanuel [God with us].
Isaiah 7:14

Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to Power Poppy and purchase this delightful digital image and use it today. But first, be sure to visit my teammates to see what delightful cards they've made and to read what Marcy has shared about mistletoe...you just might be surprised and fascinated as I was!

Barb Walker
Cheryl Scrivens <me>
Nancy Sheads
Stacy Morgan

Marcella Hawley

As always, sweet friends, I am so grateful for your visits and love reading your comments. I am always happy to answer questions. (I am entering my card in this week's Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.)

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps:  Stand Here (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah), Pure Poppy (PTI), Comfort and Joy (My Mind's Eye)

Ink:  Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Stitched Square STAX dies (MFT), Heart Buttons dies (Memory Box), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white DMC floss, Wink of Stella, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), white tape
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word

Card Size:  A-2
Copic markers used: Bow - R21, R14, R35, R46, R59; Leaves - YG61, G46, YG01; Berries - Y11, G20; Stems - YG91; Shading - Prismacolor pencils; "Merry Christmas" letters - Prismacolor pencils

Whimsical Wreaths Release and SALE!

Hello, precious friends! I hope all my friends from the U. S. had a blessed Thanksgiving! We have so much to be grateful for, and I continue to count each and every blessing that comes from our loving Father.

Well, today marks the start of Christmas shopping, and just wait until you see the beautiful new digital stamps...yes, there are four sets...and you will love each one! 

The Instant Gardeners are being joined by the Bloom Brigade, and what fun we've had with this release, Whimsical Wreaths. Check out the Power Poppy blog to see each of the new sets...they are amazing! And what a variety of beautiful cards and projects that will inspire you! AND there is a storewide "SALESGIVING," including a treasure hunt of sorts to search for the Mystery $1 Holiday Digi. Sound like fun to you? It does to me!

Well, one look at the Felt Leaves and Fruits had me. Being a life-long crafter, I could easily remember crafting with my grandmother. She was my dad's mom and was Scottish, and each summer my sister and I would spend a week with my grandparents. During the day while grandpa worked, we would craft. What fun and great memories...and I am still crafting!

I resized this digital wreath in Microsoft word, die cut it, and then colored it (my favorite part of making a card). I decided to join in on this month's "Think Pink" Power and Spark Challenge hosted by Tosha Leyendekker. These puffy little tufts so wanted to be pink! Hehe! The little "berries" are teal. I used a stitched die and ended up having to fussy cut the green for a mat. I started with an idea to use some designer paper, but I was going through my scrap bin and found this beautiful lattice die. So I cut another one and layered them together and then popped it with a LOT of dimensional tape to lay over the green card stock. I added the ribbon and finally mounted the wreath on the card. It's definitely a box card. 

When I used to sing in choir, I remember the song "Come Into His Presence" by Don Moen. I loved singing it, and you can listen to it here. It's based on Psalm 95:2 and reminds us to give God thanks and to praise Him...both in our words and in song. What a great way to start the Christmas season.

Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:2

Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to Power Poppy. So get out that wish list and add them to your shopping cart, check out this new digital release, and search for the Mystery $1 Holiday Digi! What fun, eh? And don't forget to leave some "love" for my teammates. You will surely be inspired! 

Cindy Lawrence
Tosha Leyendekker
Katie Sims
Stacy Morgan

Cheryl Scrivens <me>
Christine Okken
Jennifer Dove
Broni Holcombe
Nancy Sheads

Debbie Olson

As always, sweet friends, I so appreciate your visit and love reading your comments. I am always happy to answer questions. And one day soon I hope to watercolor a digital image again. (I am entering my card in this week's Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.)

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps:  Wreath: Felt Leaves and Fruits (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah), Pear Pizzazz (SU!)

Ink:  Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Mats: Circle dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Interlocking die (Penny Black), Mini Perfect Layers tool, seam binding, Matt Finish Seal 'n Glue adhesive (Ranger), 3M dimensional tape, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, fussy cutting

Card Size:  A-2
Copic markers used: Leaves - G20, G21, BG93, YG93; Berries - BG10, BG72; Fruity Tufts - RV000, RV00, R02, RV21, R81; Branch - YG91; Shading - W2, W0, W00, 0

Come Before His Presence with Thanksgiving

Hello, sweet friends! Well, it's been a very challenging time here in the States, but I hope this morning that we can focus on this wonderful Scripture verse from Word Art Wednesday that is available today.

This week's verse is Psalm 95:2-3. "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise until Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great king above all gods."

I used a floral stamp that I've had for some time and that had not seen ink, and I used some fall-like colors (for me anyway...what do we know about fall in South Florida, right?). I printed the digital verse, and then I stamped the flower onto Eclipse masking paper and cut it out so I could mask the flower around the verse. It was fun to do masking again, and I will definitely do more of it. I stamped the first flower in the bottom left and went around until I thought it looked like enough but hopefully not too much. Then I colored, which is the best part of making a card...and so relaxing. Once the coloring was done, I decided a black mat would be nice along with two curved corners...don't you think? It needed that little something extra.

Karen Letchworth shares a devotional about each Word Art Wednesday challenge verse, and I know you will be greatly encouraged by reading it. 

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God
and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:2-3

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects made by the rest of the design team and to pick up your free digital image. After reading the devotional about this Scripture verse, be sure to check out the fantastic sponsors. Word Art Wednesday is so blessed to have Simon Says Stamp as the primary sponsor for our challenges. 

As always, precious friends, it's such a joy to hear from you. I love reading each of your comments and am blessed by your friendship. I am always happy to answer questions regarding digital images...so don't hesitate to ask anything. May God bless you richly this week.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps:  Best Thoughts (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah), True Black (PTI)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Eclipse masking paper, Mini Perfect Layers tool, corner rounder (EK Success), white tape (X-Press It)
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, masking

Card Size:  A-2
Card Size:  Flower petals – R00, R01, R02, R22, R14; Leaves – G20, YG61, YG91, YG99; Shading – E81, 0

O the Depth of the Riches

Hello, sweet friends! It's time for another Word Art Wednesday card.

This week's verse is Romans 11:33. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" What a wonderful God we serve, and He loves us so dearly. His resources are inexhaustible, and His mercy is unending.

I printed out the digital image to allow for flowers above and below the verse, and I drew a light pencil line above and below the sentiment and masked the verse. I made my floral masks using stickie notes (both of the large and small flowers). I stamped the larger one first, masked it, and then stamped the two side flowers. Next I stamped the leaves in Pear Tart Memento ink...and repeated for the bottom portion. I colored my flowers, and since the leaves are nearly solid, I outlined them with a multi-liner pen and colored them with a Copic marker. Then I finally used a multi-liner pen to draw the lines above and below the Scripture verse. Once done, I used a pierced die and matted it (I used the chisel end of a Copic marker to color a piece of card stock large enough to mat using my Mini Perfect Layers...and now it matches my flowers perfectly). Lastly, I added some sequins...and it was done and is now ready to mail.

Karen Letchworth shares a devotional about each Word Art Wednesday challenge verse, and I know you will be greatly encouraged by reading it. 

O the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God!
how unsearchable are His judgments,
and his ways past finding out!

Romans 11:33

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects made by the rest of the design team and to pick up your free digital image. After reading the devotional about this Scripture verse, be sure to check out the fantastic sponsors. Word Art Wednesday is so blessed to have Simon Says Stamp as the primary sponsor for our challenges. And I am participating in this week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes.

As always, dear friends, it's such a joy to hear from you. I love reading each of your comments and am blessed by your friendship. I am always happy to answer questions regarding digital images...so don't hesitate to ask anything. May God bless you richly this week.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps:  Oh Happy Day (Simon Says Stamp!)

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black and Pear Tart (Memento), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Pierced Rectangles dies (ODBD), fine line marker 01 (Prismacolor), clear ruler, Mini Perfect Layers tool, sequins (Verve), Diamond Glaze, clear Wink of Stella, white Gelly Roll pen (Sakura), white tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, masking

Card Size:  A-2
Card Size:  Flower petals – RV10, R81, R83, R85; Flower centers – Y35, Y26, E47; Leaves – Y93

Bittersweet Wreath

Hello, my sweet friends! We are definitely feeling some cooler temperatures here in South Florida, as we are approaching my favorite month of the year. Yesterday we did our weekly shopping, and it was a joy to feel the cool breeze. I love November because the temperatures are cooler, the humidity is lower, and our orchids love it. 

Today I am sharing a newly remixed digital image called Bittersweet Wreath. Marcy has shared, "Given a bit of a shearing and a plumpen-upping, my remixed Bittersweet Wreath illustration downloads in a flash and colors up easily to make a beautiful Thanksgiving, fall or holiday card front. Two sentiments accompany this sweet and simple set." 

Today I have two cards to share. My first one is CAS (clean and simple in the stamping world) with this sweet wreath and the Scripture verse below it. I colored the bitty berries and leaves, die cut it, matted it, and adhered it to the card base. Easy, right?

But one of the images I saw online kept my brain working. And finally yesterday I was able "put to paper" a card design that had been "ruminating" in my head for a few days. Here's the photograph of the bittersweet vine that inspired me. Are these the sweetest little berries...I just love the soft, warm colors!

As many of my stamping friends know, one of the wonderful things about digital images is being able to resize them. So I enlarged the wreath (by a lot....hehe!) and made two "copies" of it in Word. I rotated and arranged them to "frame" this wonderful Scripture verse. I used the same colors as the first card and a couple more colors and matted it. But something was missing...and that's when I decided that jute with a button would lend a more country feel. I used dimensional tape under the entire card front and mounted it to the card base. So there you have it...an easy card to make and color...just in time for this Thanksgiving season. I have printed out another one with the "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment, so don't tell my family this is the card they will be receiving in the mail, okay? Hehe!

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, may we continually thank God for His many blessings, remembering to rejoice even in difficult times. Our Father is good and gracious...and always uses difficulties for our good...even when we cannot see them as good at the time. He is always with us...in the good times and the hard times. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

So, my sweet stamping friends, it's time to hop on over to Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today and check out the entire digital collection. Then visit the Power Poppy blog...and be sure to leave some "love" for my teammates, including Marcella, who continues to delight us all with her wonderful artistry...and heart! (Note: Due to internet issues, the Power Poppy sale is extended through Wednesday, October 26, midnight CT.)

Barb Walker
Cheryl Scrivens <me>
Cindy Lawrence
Nancy Sheads
Stacy Morgan

Marcella Hawley

Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I always love hearing from you, precious friends, and read each and every comment! You are such a joy, and I appreciate your friendship!

Blessings, dear friends,

Card One:
Stamps:  Bittersweet Wreath (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah),  Cajun Craze (SU)

Ink:  Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Simon Says Stamp!), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word

Card Size:  A-2
Copic markers used:  Leaves - YG03; Berries - Y32, R05

Card Two:
Stamps:  Bittersweet Wreath (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah),  Peach Parfait (SU)

Ink:  Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Mini Perfect Layers tool, natural jute (May Arts), Summer Sunrise button (PTI), 3M dimensional tape, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word

Card Size:  A-2
Copic markers used:  Leaves - YG01, YG03; Berries - Y32, YR12, R05