Blossoming Cherry

Hello, dear friends! Spring is definitely on the way, and I know most of those in the United States and Canada are eager for the warmer weather. It's been a very cold winter. 

So, today I am sharing the very lovely Blossoming Cherry digital release by Marcella Hawley. I especially love her description:

"Help usher in spring with ebullient cherry blossoms. How can such a simple branch pack such a pretty punch? God works in marvelous ways, that's all I can say! Paired with one of three friendly sentiments, your composition will be the blossoming belles of the ball."

Who does not love the beautiful cherry blossom trees that are a symbol that spring is here? I remember living in Atlanta many years ago and seeing the beautiful pinks and white cherry blossoms. 

I used two cherry blossom branches and arranged them on my card inside a square and added one of the sweet sentiments that I will definitely use a lot. Who doesn't love to receive a "happy hello" card from a friend? I colored it very simply (and quickly) inspired by a photo I found on the internet, and then I tried my hand at "pointillism" around the branch for my shading. It's my first attempt, and I will definitely try it again. Then I trimmed my image and adhered it to a scalloped square die, and then I adhered that to a 4½" square card base. It's simple and easy to mail, and I have already finished coloring another one to build up my stash.

God certainly does work in marvelous ways, and He has created such amazing beauty all around us -- if we just look. If we look around us even in the midst of the cold winter and difficulties of life, we can see evidence of His beauty and love for us.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17

Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to Power Poppy and purchase this beautiful digital image and use it today. And be sure to visit the Power Poppy blog today to read more and see who else is joining me!

Barb Walker
Cheryl Scrivens <me>

Nancy Sheads

Jessie Banks
Elizabeth Zaffarano

Marcella Hawley on Power Poppy Blog

Precious friends, thank you for your visits and for your comments that I always love reading. Your prayers and love continue to mean so much to me and many others! Thank you, and may God bless and encourage you.

Blessings, precious friends,

Stamps: Blossoming Cherry (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White 110# (Neenah), Soft Sky (SU!)

Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Grand Scalloped Squares dies (Spellbinders), t-square ruler, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, sponging, pencil coloring

Card Size: 5” square
Copic markers used: Petals/buds – RV00, RV10, R43, R59; Branch – E31, E37; Stems – YG03; Background – B0000

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Power & Spark - "Grab A Map"

Well, Happy New Year, and hello, precious friends! It's been far too long since I've posted, but life can just get in the way. But I look forward to a wonderful new year and continue to trust God in and through all things. 

For this month's Power & Spark Challenge hosted by Julie Koerber, we're asking you to "Grab A Map" and get in on some Power Poppy Fun! We've teamed up with the Pagemaps.com's CardMaps to showcase ten new sketches featuring some of Power Poppy's fabulous stamp sets. You can find all ten sketches along with the design team samples HERE. So grab a map, use it to spark a little cardmaking creativity, and then link up your creation HERE. If you play along, you'll be in the running to win a $50 Shopping Spree to the Power Poppy Shop! But wait – there's more! Becky Fleck, the fabulous PageMaps guru, is also offering a $25 Power Poppy gift card, and all you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post! The PageMaps contest closes January 22, so hop on over soon. We can't wait to see what you create. 

Truly, I struggle with sketches, so this was a good way to stretch myself creatively. I could color all day, but when it comes to making the card – I get stuck. Here's the sketch I was given to use.

I decided to use the sweet peonies from Soothing Sympathy, a sentiment from Simply Camellias, and a new paper pad. I selected three patterned sheets and started some quick coloring. After searching for a heart die, I decided to stamp the bitty peony bud and hang it as a heart with some very old thread that I found from my mother-in-law's stash (had some sentimental thoughts of how she loved needlework). The rest was a variety of other dies (see below in my recipe), and then edging several pieces with a Copic marker for a finished look and to make them stand out a bit. So here she is, and I am happy to have been inspired by this sketch. Perhaps I should try more, right? How about you? There are ten sketches to try – are you ready to stretch yourself creatively?

I'm sure that I am not alone in saying that God has allowed many difficulties in my life this past year. He has graciously given me the strength and endurance to trust Him and get through them all and has used each challenge to draw me closer to Himself. I look forward to the new year with great confidence that God is with me no matter what the future brings. This reminds me of a beautiful hymn that my dad used to sing so tenderly (and now my dad is with the Lord). Here's the refrain from "I Don't Know About Tomorrow" recorded by Bev Shea.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know Who holds tomorrow
And I know Who holds my hand.
Lyrics by Ira Stanphill

Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what Julie has to share about this new Power & Spark Challenge for January along with links to my teammates to see what sketches they used and how. Sounds like fun! 

As always, sweet and precious friends, thank you for your visits and comments that I love reading. Your prayers continue to mean so much to me...so thank you! May God bless each of you and give you strength.

Blessings, dear friends,

Stamps: Soothing Sympathy, Simply Camellias (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Pretty in Pink (SU!), Bundle of Joy Girl (Echo Park)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (Versamark)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Gina Marie Designs), Fishtail Layers STAX dies (MFT), Double Stitched Circle STAX dies (My Favorite Things), Large Holiday Shapes dies (Simon Says Stamp), Varicor variegated rayon thread #15 from Brazil, Thin 3M Foam Squares (Scrapbook adhesives), white tape

Card Size:  A2
Copic markers used: Petals - RV00, RV11, RV52, R81, R83; Leaves - G20, YG93, YG95; Center - YG31

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