5 Days of Digis - Gifts from the Sea

Hello, sweet friends! 

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy teammates on Day 4 of the "5 Days of Digis." Marcella's theme of this release is "kindness, love, peace, curiosity, and meaning. Each of these images were created from the heart, with the intention of sharing part of myself with our customers...a little more than usual."

Today we have "Gifts from the Sea," a lovely arrangement from the gifted Marcella Hawley. Here's what she shares:

"First of all, I'm going to recommend that everyone stop, run to the library, and pick up a copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book, Gifts from the Sea. Life-changing perspectives on life as a woman and mother, all written while she was staying in a cottage by the sea in Captiva, Florida. I read this book on the very beaches where she wrote the book years ago and collected seashells galore from the fertile Gulf of Mexico. This illustration is inspired by that experience -- with a bouquet of plumeria flowers and petite palm fronds, nestled in an ink-bottle vase. Seashells of every stripe surround the scene, where someone has been writing a postcard or maybe starting to write the follow-up volume to Gifts from the Sea. Whatever it is, I recommend all to Seas the Day."

Even living here in South Florida, I did not realize all the beautiful colors of seashells. Certainly, some shells are colored and sold to create lovely arrangements like this one. But it was fun to color this image. We have plumeria plants/trees throughout our area, and we call them frangipani. We first purchased a "stick" they sold at a craft fair, and the vendor told us to stick it in the ground. Truly, we were shocked when it grew and finally bloomed! They grow in so many beautiful colors. I must admit that I ended up coloring my flowers more vibrantly than I had planned, but it was fun. Hope you have as much fun as I did with this arrangement.

This card reminds me the need to make time for relaxation and "downtime" -- something I struggle with doing. My quiet time in the morning is spent reading God's Word, praying, and journaling. With life's many distractions -- especially as I age, it can be difficult to shut out the pressures of my daily schedule. That's why it's important for me to treat my quiet time as being equally important than any other item on my schedule.

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10

For my stamping friends, you will find this new digital image at Power Poppy. Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcy shares about this wonderful new digital release and see what my teammates have to share. Tomorrow is the last new digi, and I hope to finish a card to share. It's a darling one.

I would like to enter this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week, which is Use a Die and/or Punch. Once again I used a die.

Sweet friends, you are dearly loved. Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I have begun reaching out and thanking you for your sweet comments (when possible). It's such a joy to encourage and be encouraged. I trust you will take time to enjoy some of the beauty that God has around you today. May God bless each of you and give you joy today and every day.

Blessings, precious friends,

Stamps: Gifts from the Sea (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Flirty Flamingo (SU!)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Pleated Lace Rectangles dies (Gina Marie Designs), white tape

Card Size: A-2

5 Days of Digis - Love One Another

Hello, sweet friends! Yes, two days in a row...wow! 

Today (even though I am late) I am happy to join my Power Poppy teammates on Day 2 of the "5 Days of Digis." Marcella's theme of this release is "kindness, love, peace, curiosity, and meaning. Each of these images were created from the heart, with the intention of sharing part of myself with our customers...a little more than usual."

Today we have "Love One Another," a lovely arrangement of flowers and some fascinating insects:

"Bring the life of the garden to the front of your cards! This harmonious scene has an uplifting arrangement of dwarf and intermediate bearded irises mingling with tulips and insects. Irises come in a massive array of color combinations -- oftentimes the fuzzy 'beards' are the most colorful part! Have fun researching palettes that allow you to pick up the shade of the iris beard in other areas...the wings of the moth, the stripes on the caterpillar, streaks on the tulip petals. You can think about the way you want to plan out a garden, coordinating colors of plants, and adapt this process to the way you color this image."

I originally started out with a totally different plan, and you will enjoy researching all the wonderful colors of each element in this digital image. I decided to try using colored pencils again, and it was fun. However, it takes a lot longer to color. But it's great therapy and very relaxing (for the most part). Once the flowers were colored, I struggled with the insects -- in particular, the Luna moth. However, after it was all colored, I actually think I like him the best. I ended up using him to pull together my "garden." So I think they may enjoy each other now. Hehe!

This card reminds me of the amazing gift of God's created beauty, no matter whether we look at flowers or insects...or anything else. Everything we see was spoken into existence for us to enjoy. Flowers grow from seeds (and bulbs) and then bud and finally bloom. The caterpillar you see becomes the Luna moth. Who can account for these things other than as the miracle of God's creation.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
He will not leave you or forsake you.
Psalm 96:11-12

For my stamping friends, you will find this new digital image at Power Poppy. Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcy shares about this wonderful new digital release and see what my teammates have to share.

I would like to enter this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week, which is Use a Die and/or Punch. I used a die.

Precious friends, you are dearly loved. When I think of all that God has created, I am in awe and great thankfulness! Thank you for your visits and comments. I love reading each one and continue to pray for you, and your prayers continue to encourage me as well! I trust you will enjoy some of the beauty that God has around you in the days ahead. May God bless each of you and give you joy today and every day.

Blessings, precious friends,

Stamps: Love One Another (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Cryogen Iridescent White, Solar White Neenah, unknown designer paper

Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Gina Marie Designs), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white tape

Card Size: 4 3/4" x 6"

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5 Days of Digis - Kindness Starts Us Off

Hello, sweet friends! Well, it's been what I would call a sabbatical for me. It's been several months since I have shared a post with you, and truly, I've missed you...a lot! However, it's good to take a break. 

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy teammates to start off the "5 Days of Digis." Marcella's theme of this release is "kindness, love, peace, curiosity, and meaning. Each of these images were created from the heart, with the intention of sharing part of myself with our customers...a little more than usual."

Today we start off with this first FREE digital image. And Kit and Clowder has a FREE online coloring class using these images. You surely won't want to miss that! Here's what Marcy shares about this newest digital download:

"Our first 100% FREE download with a botanical theme — I am proud to offer Kindness is the Way here at Power Poppy. Whether you've never worked with digital stamps before and want to give it a risk-free try or you are an experienced digital download aficionado in search of new flowers to color, this image is here for you! I've prepared an allover pattern of Gerbera Daisies in black and no-line versions. Then you also get two versions of the background with the phrase 'Kindness is the Way' superimposed, using lettering that you can color in. Lastly, a single Gerbera Daisy is included in case you want to just keep things simple."

If you do a search for Gerbera Daisies, you will find both soft and vibrant colors. It was hard to decide what to do, but I ended up coloring the allover image and colored my daisies in a variety of colors along with coloring in the background (It reminds me of a patterned fabric, don't you think?). Once I was finished coloring, I remembered something I've wanted to try — the camouflage die technique. I used a "hugs" die and cut my colored image (yes, it was a bit scary, but I did it). Then I die-cut several layers using the navy card stock and glued the stacked layers, with the final colored image on top. It's camouflaged, but held sideways, you can see a bit of blue and feel the "hugs" die with your hands. It's sort of like a touch-and-feel card — much like a real hug!

This card will hopefully share some "virtual hugs" with my sweet friend. Hugging has been shown to be effective in helping to heal sickness, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. God is our ultimate Comforter and Healer, and He blesses us by allowing us to comfort others through hugs.

Be strong and courageous.
Do not fear or be in dread of them,
for it is the LORD your God Who goes with you.
He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

For my stamping friends, you will find this new free digital download over at Power Poppy. Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcy shares about this wonderful new digital release, and see what my teammates have to share.

I would like to enter this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week, which is Use a Die and/or Punch. I used both.

Precious friends, I hope to visit to your blogs more often. That's one way I can share virtual hugs with you! Thank you for your visits and comments. I read each one and continue to pray for you, and your prayers continue to encourage me as well! Life is filled with many things in our times, but God is gracious. May God bless each of you and give you joy today and every day.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps: Kindness is the Way (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Soft Sky and Not Quite Navy (SU!)

Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Big Hugs dies (MFT), rounded corner punch (EKSuccess), Multi Mono Glue (Tombow), red tape

Card Size: A2

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