Season's Seatings

Hello, sweet and lovely friends! 

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy teammates in sharing the newest "Digis on the 5s" digital release, Season's Seatings. Here's what Marcella shares about this new release. 

"We love any scene that exudes cozy fall goodness — a second-hand chair in the garden? Of course! It's the ideal perch for a rustic pumpkin bouquet. You may recognize this image from our popular clear stamp set 'So Grateful.' What's especially neat about this digital download version is that you get two focal images, one of the large chair vignette and a second large image of the pumpkin bouquet by itself featuring dahlias, berries, and black-eyed Susans. The verse from Ecclesiastes, 'He has made everything beautiful in its time,' is the perfect accompaniment, and you'll also get a shorter 'Hello, Beauty' sentiment. A coloring feast awaits!"  

In South Florida we do not see many real carved pumpkins, and if we do, they are inside our air-conditioned houses. It's far too hot for pumpkins to survive very long. So to have a pumpkin filled with fall flowers is a delight for me!

Using Microsoft Word, I arranged the flower-filled pumpkin next to the Scripture verse for a wide card, printed it on X-Press It Blending Card, and started coloring. I found this vibrant fall plaid designer paper and kept it simple with a wonky-stitched die, thin mat of Tangerine Tango, and it was done. I dug through all my embellishments but finally decided to keep it simple — flat and easy to mail. ;)

I truly enjoyed making this card, and I read on in Ecclesiastes where it tells us that there is nothing better for us to do than to be joyful and to do good as long as we live. This is God's gift to us. As I considered the enjoyment I experienced in making this card, I am reminded that pleasure is fleeting and that true and lasting joy is found only in Jesus Christ. May I glorify God in all I do. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
...there is nothing better for them than to be joyful
and to do good as long as they live; 
— this is God's gift to man..
Ecclesiastes 3:11, 12b, 13b

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 digital release and see what my teammates have to share. 

This week Splitcoaststampers has a wonderful Inspiration Challenge, and we are to be inspired by one of the flags. There were many I could have used, and I think it's a wonderful website to inspire many other future cards.

Precious friends, you are truly loved. As always, I thank you so much for your visits and comments. I continue to pray for many of the special prayer requests, and I know that God will encourage and bless you all. I thank God also for how He is answering our prayers. May God give peace and comfort to those suffering loss and encouragement and joy to us all. You are a precious gift to me.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps: Season's Seatings (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Tangerine Tango (SU!), Perfectly Plaid Fall (Lawn Fawn)

Ink: N/A (printer)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX dies (My Favorite Things), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white tape

Card Size: 5" x 6"

Bountiful Bouquet

Hello, sweet friends! 

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy Instant Gardeners. Marcella Hawley has illustrated a brand new digital image release for us, and it is both beautiful and versatile. She colored it with her masterful watercoloring to delight and inspire us as we celebrate fall.

Here's what Marcella shared:

"Emanating autumnal élan, Beautiful Bouquet features TWO focal images! One illustration is large and in charge — with three Rudbeckia blooms intertwined with berries and leaves. A second illustration is a pitcher filled with the same Rudbeckia flowers, plus branches of fruiting persimmon and the vivid stems of pokeweed berries. Two sentiments encouraging happiness and mindfulness round out this bountiful digi set."

Since we live in South Florida, we do not experience fall as do our northern friends here in the States. Having grown up in New Jersey, I always looked forward to seeing the leaves turn gorgeous colors in the fall. Since Marcy shares the names of each flower and plant, we can find inspiration for coloring with a few clicks on the internet. However, she always encourages us to color as our hearts desire. So I decided to color this beautifully filled pitcher with vibrant colors (to remind me of what I am missing up north).

Since the pitcher image is tall, I decided to keep the layout simple and make the image as large as possible. I did a "test run" with my color combinations and then happily colored another "Marcella" beauty! The details in her illustrations are amazing, aren't they? After I finished coloring, I used a stitched die to trim my colored piece and then matted it with "Copic-enhanced" card stock to match the pitcher. I used my Mini MISTI to add the lovely birthday blessings sentiment from Artistic Bouquet clear stamp set. A dear friend has a birthday next week, and she loves and grows many flowers. I hope she will enjoy this card. 

Birthdays are special days to celebrate God's gracious gift of life here on earth. He has known us since before the earth was formed and joins with us in celebrating the joy of each birthday. As we awake each morning, may we be reminded that God has a purpose for us each day. May we find joy in each day.

For you formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:13-14

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. Of course, you have most likely been following Marcella's newest clear stamp release, Natural Wonders.

This week Splitcoaststampers has a fun Ways To Use It Challenge, and we are to use fruit on our cards. Persimmons are fruit, and I have some ripe ones in this lovely image. 

Oh, my dear and sweet friends, you are truly loved. Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I know there are special prayer requests that I have continued to remember, and I know that God will encourage and bless you all. May God give peace and comfort to those suffering loss and encouragement to us all. You are a joy to me.

Blessings, sweet friends,

Stamps: Bountiful Bouquet and Artistic Bouquet (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Baja Breeze colored with BG72 to match pitcher (SU!)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX Set 1 dies (My Favorite Things), Mini MISTI tool, Mini Perfect Layers tool, red tape

Card Size: 4 3/4" x 5 5/8"