Bowl of Beauty

Hello, sweet friends! It's so good to post another card, and I enjoyed coloring it. I must say that I still feel a bit rusty. We continue to praise God for the healing in my hubby's knee and thank you all for your prayers. He is eager to get the other one done now.  

Today I am delighted to join my Power Poppy Instant Gardeners to introduce a new digital release that is truly beautiful! It's called Bowl of Beauty!

Here's what Marcella shares about this new digital image:

"The fourth installment of our café au lait bowl bouquets is filled with some of my favorite plants: hellebores, ferns, and a luscious tree peony with stems of Spanish bluebells. Of course, I had to call this Bowl of Beauty because I know that anyone coloring this one will bring forth beautiful results. A polka-dotted vintage bowl can be done in so many ways to compliment the flowers."

This new release comes with the bowl and without it, so I decided to use just this luscious bouquet, along with the digital sentiment from Rose and Chamomile. I started with the hellebores and then did the fern. The hardest part was deciding what colors to make each of the flowers and yet (hopefully) make the bouquet look cohesive. 

Once the coloring was done, I ended up finding a piece of card stock and used a Copic marker to coordinate with the Spanish bluebells. Here is clean and simple layout that allows this bouquet to take centerstage. 

This card is for a dear mom whose young daughter is on an MDS journey. The whole family is, and they continue to be upheld in prayer and other support by our church family and others. I trust that you will join us and pray for this family. 

We all have trials and difficulties, and we trust in God alone to guide, strengthen, comfort, and love us through all circumstances that pass through the Father's loving hands. He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over them,
anointing him [her] with oil in the name of the LORD.
James 5:14

Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what delights Marcy is sharing about this stunning new digital release. You will also want to see what my teammates have to share (and our special guest Allison Cope of the Bloom Brigade). What gorgeous cards to inspire you!

Sweet friends, you have continued to be in my prayers, and I praise God for His mercy and for bringing your names and requests to mind as I pray. It's a joy to hear praise reports as well as updates. Thank you for your friendship and your prayers for us. May God continue to give peace, comfort, and strength to us all. You are a great blessing to me and to those for whom you pray.

Blessings, sweet friends,

Stamps: Bowl of Beauty, Rose and Chamomile (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Almost Amethyst (SU!) colored with Copic marker B63, Textured White (Bazzill)

Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, 6x6 Matting Basics B dies (Spellbinder), Mini Perfect Layers tool, red tape

Techniques: Digital images with Microsoft Word, Copic coloring
Card Size: 5 1/4"
Copic Markers Used: Hellebores - RV66, RV32, R30, YR20, YR000, YG03 (stamen); Ferns - G28, G24, G40; Leaves - G24, G24, G40, YG91, E31; Peony - R30, R32, YR20, YR21/RV32 (center); French bluebells - B63, BV17, RV00 (tips); Cast shadow - BV20 

Clover and Pansies

Hello, dear friends! Another month has passed, and my precious husband is feeling so much better. He is having the last of his physical therapy and feels almost normal. We praise God and thank you all for your prayers! 

Today I am delighted to join my Power Poppy Instant Gardeners to introduce a new digital release that is a reminder spring is on its way! It's called Clover and Pansies!

Here's what Marcella shares about this new digital image:

"The third installment of our café au lait bowl bouquets overflows with spring favorites. Four-leaf clovers and their pom-pom-like flowers, pansies in a variety of sizes and patterns, and sprigs of forget-me-nots make a rich look. Color your clovers in shades of green for St. Patrick's Day, or go for the more unique dark purples and pinks with contrasting stripes. The symbolism of the botanicals in this bouquet convey good luck, love, and remembrance."

This delightful bowl is filled with so many beautiful elements, and it took me a while to decide what colors to use. Each of Marcella's images are filled with so much of God's beauty. I printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card, and I used a lot of Copic markers! I did not know exactly what form this card would take, so I concentrated on coloring...the best part.

Once the coloring was done, I ended up finding a piece of card stock that compliments the completed image. Don't you agree? I would love to have this bouquet on my coffee table.  

Marcella commented about the botanicals in this bouquet as symbols of remembrance. As St. Patrick's Day approaches, I always remember my precious dad whose birthday is the day before St. Patrick's Day. I remember my dad for his wonderful faith, which he expressed in his beautiful singing and in his relationships with people. It was said that he had never met a stranger, and he was the most warm, tender, and loving man I know other than my precious husband. I truly miss him and am blessed to have had him as my daddy.

As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what delights Marcy is sharing about this stunning new digital release, including some wonderful specimens of these botanicals. You will also want to see what my teammates have to share. You will not be disappointed!

Sweet friends, you have continued to be in my prayers, and I praise God for His mercy and for bringing your names to mind as I pray. Thank you for your friendship and your prayers for us. I know He is always working and will continue to bless and encourage each one of us. May God continue to give peace, comfort, and strength to us all. You are a great blessing to me.

Blessings, sweet friends,

Stamps: Clover and Pansies (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Almost Amethyst (SU!), Textured White (Bazzill)

Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Grand Rectangles dies (Spellbinder), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white tape, red tape

Techniques: Digital images with Microsoft Word, Copic coloring
Card Size: 5 1/4"

New Power Poppy Digital Release - My Favorite Pair

Hello, sweet friends! I've been missing you, but I have been so busy caring for my dear husband who had knee replacement surgery on December 12. Yes, it was an early Christmas present! Hehe! He is doing much better, but he has a long way to go with lots more physical therapy. We are blessed to have him walking again and thank God for His faithfulness to us in every way. So on to my post today. It's been more than six weeks since I last picked up my Copic markers, and it felt good to carve out a little time to color and make a card (wow, was I out of practice).

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy Instant Gardeners to introduce a new digital release that is absolutely gorgeous! It's called My Favorite Pair! Are you ready?

Here's what Marcella shares about this new digital image:

"A perfectly piled jumble of ripe pears, African violets, and meandering ribbon comprise the second in my series of vintage café au lait bowl bouquets. Think of the fun you can have with this one! As we burrow into our winter wonderlands, the freshness of houseplants in window sills is sometimes the only green to be seen! Bursting forth with blossoms in purples, blues, reds, and whites — the coloring options are endless. This illustration comes with an alternate version with a hand-lettered sentiment and a no-line version of each complete drawing. Pick up Snowdrops and Tea Roses to complete the set, and look for another café au lait bouquet coming in February."

It's hard not to use the complete illustration — with all the exquisite details and elements sweet Marcella puts into her artwork (each one a masterpiece). The possibilities with this one are endless, and just wait till you see what my teammates have done! As always, I find it hard to decide what colors to use. So I tried using my color wheel, and it helped some. I think this might be a complementary/split complementary color combination, but I need more practice in using the color wheel. I printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card, and I used a lot of Copic markers! I masked off a portion of one of the sentiments from Potted Primroses using my Mini MISTI.

Once the coloring was done, I struggled with many options for a layout. In the end, I kept it very simple and decided to sponge the edges to bring out some of the color from the pears to balance it out. I used one of the new Life Changing Blending Brushes and was very happy with the blending. I mounted it on some Rich Razzleberry card stock and adhered it to a white card base, and that was it. 

This card is for a very dear friend who was by my side all day during my husband's surgery and till he finally arrived in his room late that night. She encouraged me, took care of me, prayed with me, and loved me. And she told me it was her privilege to help me. I am blessed by friendships like hers. She is a cherished friend, and I cannot thank her enough for being there for me (and us). Proverbs talks about friendships. It's my prayer that you develop friendships like hers. 

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
Proverbs 27:9

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 stunning new digital release and see what my teammates have to share. You will be completely inspired! 

Oh, my precious friends, you have continued to be in my prayers even in the midst of all the stress and work of helping my husband recover. God has given me some quiet moments to pray as He brings your names to mind, and I thank you for your friendship and your prayers. I know He is always working and will continue to bless and encourage each one of us. And it's in the hard times that we grow (James 1:2-4). I know that for a fact. May God give peace and comfort to us all. You are a blessing to me, and may God be praised and glorified in all things.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps: My Favorite Pair and Potted Primroses (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Rich Razzleberry (SU!), 110# Solar White (Neenah)

Ink: Printer, Onyx Black (Versafine), Scattered Straw Distress Ink
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Mini MISTI, Life Changing Blending Brushes (Picket Fence Studios), white tape

Techniques: Digital images with Microsoft Word, Copic coloring, masking
Card Size: A-2