MMSC60 What a Guy!!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time - are you ready!?!?  I love this time of the week...this week I had a lot of fun using one of our very own Priscilla's images.  You can find it and other fabulous ones at "priscillastyles" store

I have coloured this image with...you think I am going to say chalks don't you - but NO, I have used my new Prismacolor Pencils - and I LOVE them!  I got sent a set of 75 Prisma's in the post from a generous stampin' sister who wishes to remain anonymous - thank you dear friend, you are so very generous...I can see these will become an addiction!

I printed off two images and  after colouring and cutting out, layered the images just slightly, I wanted to add dimension but didn't want it to dominate the card!  I added a strip of ribbon and a large eyelet, I wanted to keep a masculine feel to this card!

The panels have been embossed to add texture, I kept to more masculine 'feel' embossing and backed each layer with black, to make it pop.  In my opinion the black helps keep each layer defined - it is so easy to have one layer blessing into another when there is more than one pattern.

How adorable is this cat - I wanted you to see it up close so you could see the detail - I love the way the tail curls around - so typical of a cat!

These flowers - I love all of the detail Priscilla adds, I did think the flowers would be harder to colour BUT no - they just happened and I love the look....this looks like flowers I would love to get!!

Once again, it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Its as easy as 1-2-3 click here to see both sketches

Our MMSC57 Gold Star Award goes to...

#8 Darlene

Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
#14 An

#50 Marsha Sanderlin
#58 Iris

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

Thank you to our weekly Bonus Sponsor

"priscillastyles" store

and our Monthly Sponsor

Katstamps

I am linking this card to the following challenges:
ABC - Xtra Dimension
CCEE Challenge - Create a Summer card, include flowers
Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage
The Corrosive Challenge  - Flowers, Flowers, Flowers
Crafty Angels - Favourite Stamp - this is definitely a favourite digi
Crafty Catz weekly - Let's go Digital
Cute Card Thursday - Renew, Reuse, Recycle
Frosted Designs - Colour Challenge
Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge - Flowers
Lexi's Creations - 3D Decoupage
Magical Crafts - Flowers
Other Lovelies - Flowers
Fresh Brewed Coffee - Anythng Goes
Allsorts - Embossing
Caardvarks - Embossing
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes
Pile It On - Do Something with Paper - Distressed

Thank you for stopping by today - I love it when you visit - it makes my day - thank you for your encouraging comments!  We would love to see you join us at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge -you know I would love to come and see what you have created!

Lastly, but in no way least - have you been over to the Priscilla's new Ning site - Crafter's Digital Art Center yet - past 1600 members now and we are waiting for you to join us - the place is 'pumping' and so much fun!  be sure to come and join us - there will be some fabulous hostesses running these challenges with some great prizes to boot. The first few challenges will run for two weeks and then there will be another wonderful group of hostesses lined up. It is bound to be tons of fun with lots to offer. Stop by for a look-see on July 1st at 8am PST



there are so many challenges and prizes and the most amazing people - you know that means YOU have to be there!  LOL!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

SSIC LOC Look to the Lord

Sunday comes around so quickly - and you know what Sunday means - it is the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge,  This week it is brought to us by the very lovely Randi.  the scripture that Randi has chosen is:

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; And with His stripes we are healed.   Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Randi has challenged us to use stripes on your card, project, or LO in some way! 

I have used the Layers of Color Royal Birds art stamp sets, along with Gothic Crosses.    I love these images, they work perfectly with any style.

I often like to see what the Message says, it is a very lose translation but it can help clarify - this is what is says - 'But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him--our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.'  Normally Iwould expound a bit more on this but as you will read below, I am not able to this week, as we have gone interstate for my DH's Grandmother's funeral, but hope to add more when I get back - so please bear with me!!

Thank you to this weeks sponsor

Toucan Scraps

Make sure you pop over and see the other DT's creations, you know there is plenty of inspiration from these talented girls:

*Lisa * Kathy * Chris * Candace * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse* Rebecca *

Thank you for looking and for your lovely comments, you always make my day!  I hope you are having a blessed weekend with your family and friends and even get some time to play along with us at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge!
{{{hugs}}}

Faux Cleaning!! LOL!

You should see my desk - it seems that no matter what I do to clean off the work area - it is full - so I thought I would just create my way through the DP and other supplies that seems to love to gather there.....I have a few projects to show you...I will start bu showing you this one today and slip in some others during the week!

.This fabulous image is a freebie image from Ethereal Forest Designs available over at Crafters Digital Art Centre.  Have you been over to Priscilla's new Digi site yet!?!?  It is amazing, there are over 40 groups and well over 1500 people now - challenges galore and prizes, along with some of the cutest freebies you have ever seen to use for the challenges - what more could you want.  I need more hands to be able to make more cards, there are so many I would like to use....

I am feeling rather pleased as I used that Cuttlebug Vintage Corner Die that I was never sure about - I cut two and then cut them in half diagonally and attached the under the image, that has been cut using a Labels 1 Nestibilitie.  I am thrilled that it looks like a frame underneath - I love finding different ways to use our products - don't you!!? 

 You can see the dimension in this photo where I attached to a Large Scalloped Rectangle with foam tape, to add some dimension - and to think I tossed up whether or not to bring out my Cuttlebug at 11:30 last night - just as well I did! LOL!  I would be lost without my Cuttlebug - I love the texture that embossing gives - DP takes on a new life when it is embossed - in my opinion!

I added this delish lace that was given to me by my good friend and SU Demo Ann.  It just seemed to work perfectly with this DP and the colours of these gorgeous lilies!!  The final touches are those fabulous pearls by Kaiser - who can resist them....and there you have is - one  card and not even a dent in the scraps and embellishments left on my desk - oh well, what can I do but make some more cards....and I have...but I will save those for another day!

I am linking this to the following Challenges:

Practical Scrappers - Flowers

Cute Card Thursday - Renew, Reuse, Recycle

S2G Challenges - Something New

Cow Girl Sunday - Anything Goes

The ABC Challenge - X for Xtra Dimension - layers

Drunken Stampers - Colouring and Bling

Sew many Challenges - Anything Goes

Speedy the Cats' Friends - 3+ Flowers on your card

Crafty Ann's - Embossing

Thank you for looking and for your lovely comments.  We are leaving tomorrow for the funeral of my DH's Grandmother so my Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge and any other I may post in the next few days will be prescheduled - if you don't see me around, or on your Blog, please know I will get over to see you when we are back - we are only gone a couple of days!  These times are always hard, even though Grandma had a long life, it is still a great loss for the family - but one good thing is that we will get to see family that we haven't seen for a number of years - it will be great to reconnect with them! I hope you have a great weekend!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

Okay - before I go, I have a little funeral story to tell you, I wasn't going to but WHY NOT!  Many years ago before my DH and I were married, his elderly neighbour died and we were going to her funeral, she was a lovely lady and we wanted to pay our respects.  It was held  a little Chapel at an older Cemetery in Sydney and unfortunately we were late, so we crept in and sat on the pew in the back row - now you know how rickety these old pews are....after we had been sitting there a few minutes my DH saw a HUGE BLACK SPIDER and I mean HUGE on the pillar next to us - right next to us and then in a split second we could not see it anymore.

I don't know about you, but when I am nervous, I laugh...and so does my DH...so we are sitting there looking around and laughing, trying to keep quiet - you know that is nearly impossible under the circumstances.  So we buried our heads in our hands and were shaking trying to contain the nervous laughter and trying to see where this revolting spider had gone.  By this time people were aware of a fuss and were turning around looking at us and that just made us worse - we had tears streaming down our faces!  When it came time to leave the Chapel, the elderly neighbours son came and saw us and was so touched that we were so upset - people thought we were distraught!!  We said nothing, just put on our sunglasses and kept quiet....DH's flatmate came up to us, he knew something was going on....what can you do! LOL!  We often laugh about that - sadly, that is not the only funeral story I have - but it is the only one I am telling today!!

LOC Blessed are the Children

Friday comes around so quickly, which is 'skeery' in one way, as time is flying - but it is also great, as it is one of my favourite days on Layers of Color - Faith Art Friday!!! I love it that we can combine our faith and our art !!

I have used the new Layers of Color Bella Brocade Art Stencils along with the Creative Flourishes and Flutterescent clear art stamps to create this layout! 

The past couple of weeks I have created layouts - they just seem to fit so well with scripture - this week I have been pondering on the scriptures about children....

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.  But Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."  And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left.

Mat 19:13-15

These photos of my children when they were younger got me thinking about children and they are referred to in the Word.  What is it about children that we need to attain to - surely it is their trust and innocence, as adults we tend to complicate things and look for deeper meaning - anyone who has been around children at all would know that they see things as they are, call a 'spade' a 'spade!' 

There is a purity that we have as children that gets lost along the way.  As adults we tend to want to see our children grow up quickly, but sometimes in doing that they miss out of the innocence and carefree lives that children are entitled to....

Jesus clearly says that unless we return to the state of being like a child, NOT to be confused with being childish (and there is a difference) that we will never see the Kingdom of Heaven.  Does this mean there are no adults in Heaven - no! LOL!  He is talking about in our hearts and minds - to trust Him as a child trusts a parent, a 'no questions asked' kind of trust....as a parent I can clearly remember the feeling of having my child look at me and leap off the wall or piece of furniture without any doubt that we will catch them before they hit the ground!!

I was a Nanny before we had out own children and I used to say about some of the children I looked after, that I loved them like they were my own - at that time I had no understanding of the bond that is so amazingly there and  when you have your own child - it is so strong and defies any logic or reason....can you imagine the bond we have as Children of God....indescribable!!!

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered.  You are invited to join us on our SNR Group where there is lots of fun and chatter (No surprises there I know! LOL)  There are also discounts and previews that are exclusive for the Group Members - come and join us!!

 

I do want to say thank you to those of you who have sent email and being praying for us.  My DH lost his Grandmother yesterday and these times are never easy. Olwen lived a full life and would have turned  90 next month - she passed away in her sleep after having a stroke a week earlier, which is  a peaceful way to go, but it doesn't make the loss any the less - your kind words and prayers mean so much - thank you!

Thank you for visiting with me today, and for the lovely comments you leave me - I love knowing you have been - you make my day!  God bless you!

Sugar Creek Hollow - Bee Tile

I have been wanting to show you this card I made using this gorgeous digi image from Sugar Creek Hollow - I picked it up over at the Crafter's Digital Art Centre.  If you haven't been over there already - you need to check it out!!  It has become my home away from home!  LOL!

I printed this image - (I just LOVE  it) and then coloured it with my SU Chalks, I distressed the edges and added paper piercing and sponging to age it!

I tried not to over colour the sketched images around the edges and concentrated on the body of the bee to add depth.  I love the detail on it's body, it is so true to life.  The wings have been lightly coloured and then had Kindy Glitz added - but you know how it is with shimmer

 - it is so hard to capture in photos!

A strip of lace is added to the torn DP which is then overlapped onto some embossed CS, which has all been sponged and distressed!  Some mini pearls finish off the top corner.  I used a Glitter Pen to add colour and bling to the crown, after it had been chalked.

A thinner strip of lace has been added and knotted to the side of this gorgeous rose - which was in a box of treasures and bling that my friend and SU Demo Ann gave me as she was tidying out her Craft Room - it is so true - one man's junk is another man's treasure - there was so much that I loved in there - thank you Ann - you are so very generous to me, in so many ways!

I will be using this image again - it is just gorgeous and so quick and easy to crate something special with!  Now make sure you pop over and check out the Crafter's Digital Art Centre - there are so many Groups and challenges happening - you won't want to miss out!  Make sure to take the time to say hello to me - I am there greeting all of you - and I am loving it!!

I am linking this to the following challenges:

Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage

Cowgirls Sunday Stampen Challenge - Anything Goes

Lexi's Creations - Something Old - lace and flower

Stamp Something - Summer

Paper Play Challenge - Something Old - lace and rose

Thank you so much for looking and for the lovely comments you leave for me - you encourage and inspire me everyday!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC59 Steal a Kiss

What is happening with time these days - where has the last week gone!?!?  Not that I am complaining as it is time for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - and we all LOVE that don't we!!

This week I am using an image from our Weekly Bonus Sponsor Lacey from  Stamp'n Create - I am using the image 'Steal a Kiss'  isn't it adorable.  I love the cheekiness of this scene!

 I have coloured the image with SU Chalks, using a Blender Pen,  The oval is embossed using the hearts embossing folder and then cut with a Nestibilitie, it is layers onto a chocolate brown oval.  I have used Layers of Color images from the Merci Bouquet clear art stamps - they worked so well with this sketch.

The background DP is distressed around the edges with scissors and is layered onto embossed CS - I have tried to keep the circles theme happening in the background.  The gorgeous pearl swirl is part of a whole one sent to me by a former MMSC Designer, Jeni - thanks Jeni - I love these!!

Now for this weeks Sketch

Once again, it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Its as easy as 1-2-3 click here to see both sketches

Our MMSC57 Gold Star Award goes to...
#17 Terri Sherman

Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
#27 Bonnie O'Clair
#36 Marsha Sanderlin

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

Thank you to our weekly Bonus Sponsor

Stamp'n Create

and our Monthly Sponsor

Katstamps

I am linking this card to the following challenges:
Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage
Totally Gorjuss - Sugar and Spice
Bunny Zoes Crafts - Nice and Girly
Oh La La Creations - Flourishes and Pearls
Drunken Stampers - Colouring and Bling
Cowgirls Sunday Stampen Challenge - Anything Goes
Wednesday Stamper - I Love......Colouring with Chalks

Thank you for stopping by today - I love it when you visit - it makes my day - thank you for your encouraging comments!  We would love to see you join us at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge -you know I would love to come and see what you have created!

Lastly, but in no way least - have you been over to the Priscilla's new Ning site - Crafters Digital Art Center yet - past 1200 members now and we are waiting for you to join us - the place is 'pumping' and so much fun!  be sure to come and join us - there are so many challenges and prizes and the most amazing people - you know that means YOU have to be there!  LOL!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

LOC Two Art Stencil Cards & A Winner!!!

Wow, doesn't the weekend do quickly - they must be the quickest 48 hours in the week! LOL!  I have two cards to show you today!  They are both made with the Layers of Colour Art Stencil Delicious Dot, using different techniques!

The first one is done on acetate card sent to me in a RAK by my dear friend and Twisted Sister Pat Smethers, Pat had stamped the sentiments on it, I added a strip sponged using the Delicious Dots Art Stencil and Distressing Ink.

I used the SU Scalloped Border Punch along the bottom of the stencilling and added a trip of ribbon salon with three gorgeous roses that Pat also sent me - thanks Pat - this is a shared project!  LOL!

I am linking this to:

The Shabby Tea Room - Inspiration Photo

The next project is another simple one but this time I have paper pierced the Delicious Dots Art Stencil and am LOVING the result!!  These Art Stencils are so versatile!

You can see the paper piercing in this close up and also the Sunburst Fiskar Border Punch

I added a strip of DP that was sitting on my desk, layered in onto green then black CS.  The image is from the Touch of Elegance clear art stamps.  I have added a large black brad to the centre.

You can find the Delicious Dots Art Stencil along with the other six over at Layers of Color

and now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

the winner of the Art Stencil set is.....

Maxine D

Congratulations Maxine - I got my DH to pick a number and it was yours!  Wahoo!  Please contact me with your details, including phone number and your choice of Art Stencil within 48 hours or I will have to draw another name!  Thanks!!

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered.  You are invited to join us on our SNR Group where there is lots of fun and chatter (No surprises there I know! LOL)  There are also discounts and previews that are exclusive for the Group Members - come and join us!!
 
Thank you for visiting with me today, and for the lovely comments you leave me - I love knowing you have been - you make my day!  God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}}

SSIC A Little Sentiment-al

It is the weekend and we all love that don' we!!?  It is Sunday here andI love Sunday - and Sunday means time for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.  Faith Art cards are my favourite to make,  I love it that we can share our passion for paper with our passion for Him.

This week Candace has given us this scripture from Psalms:

'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'

Psalm 119:105

The challenge is to use NO stamped images! Make a card with just words (a sentiment/verse).  I have needed a few 'Thinking of You' cards and am makiing the most of this weeks challenge.  I have used this sentiment sent to me in a RAK and layered it onto green cardstock, then mounted it with foam tape onto a Fluer de Lis Nestibilitie - thanks to my friend Bridget, who let me run some off!

I paper pierced the sentiment square, filling in the opposite corners,  I really like this effect!

I have also used the Layers of Color Art Stencil Elegant Touch, spraying it with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist directly onto patterned DP, I love the effect this has.  The corners are paper pierced and I have added white brads to the corners of the Fleur de Lis Nestibilitie.

The scripture Candace has given is favourite of mine.  It reminds me of how specific God is...so often we read this and think great, God's Word is a light for me - and that is so true, but think about what it is really telling us - His word is a lamp to my feet - this is so encouraging to me, it is a lamp to my feet to light up my next steps and a light to my path to light the entire way - He is involved on every level - what a comfort!!

We often set our eyes on what lies ahead and  focus on that, it is easy to get tripped up along the way by those things that are right in front of us but God assures us that His Word will light them up so we can see them and not stumble - how amazing is that!  This scripture is such an encouragement and so typical of our loving God!  I love it that we are not about religion but RELATIONSHIP with God!

We can't wait to see all of YOUR creations! You may enter as many times as you'd like!** Please link us to your actual card/project post(s), not just to your blog or gallery, by 11:59 pm PDT (GMT -8) on Saturday, June 19th.

Thank you to our sponsor this week

Paper Jewels

I am linking this to:
There She Goes #59 - Worn, Torn and Distressed
By the Cute and Girly - Something Old (DP) New (Art Stencil) Borrowed (Nestie) Blue (Card)
Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage
Lexi's Creations - Something Old
My Time to Craft - Xtra Special - for a friend who just lost her Father

Make sure you pop over and see the other DT's creations, you know there is plenty of inspiration from these talented girls:

*Lisa * Kathy * Chris * Candace * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse* Rebecca *

Thank you for looking and for your lovely comments, you always make my day!  I hope you are having a blessed weekend with your family and friends and even get some time to play along with us at the Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge!
{{{hugs}}}