LOC Urban Angel

It is Saturday morning here and EARLY and before my day gets underway too much I wanted to share this card with you!! 

I was in the mood for some fun and created this card with the Layers of Color Art Stencil- I love the quirky feel it has.  The background is created using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist on the Victorian Corner Art Stencils...it almost has  a graffiti feel to it....

This fun loving giraffe is from the Polka Dot Parade Clear Art Stamps - how adorable is he!?!  He is coloured with chalks and popped up on foam dots.  The wings are from the Beloved Wings set - they have also been chalked and had Kindy Glitz added!

This cute little snail is also from the Polka Dot Parade Clear Art Stamps - he is way too adorable not to use.  I love the irony here of the giraffe on roller skates and the snail plodding along...perhaps I should have given the snail the wings!!  LOL

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 coming and visiting with me today, I love to see you have been!  Thank you for your lovely comments and encouragement you leave me here!  You make my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC64 Ride Like the Wind Bullseye!!!

What a great week it has been at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - it is such a thrill for us as Member's of the Design Team to see so many play along - it is so inspiring to visit your blogs and see your works of the heart!!  Love it - keep them coming! 

I have done it again and made two cards for this weeks Challenge - how could I resist with our weekly sponsor being Lacey from Stamp and Create - this adorable image is Ride 'em Ryan and irresistible - he is perfect for a boy card!!   I have coloured him with chalks and made a few additions to make him a  bit more rustic - you know how it is with boys!

He is cut out by hand and then popped up on foam tape onto that gorgeous DP from Stampin' Up - some of which has been embossed with the Perfect Paisley' embossing Folder - perfect for a Western style card!!  I have cut out some fabulous leather look DP with the SU Windows Lot Punch and used the ends to fit the sketch, adding some blue brads - I love the touch of blue!  I have added Corner Dies that came in a RAK - these are fabulous and work so well with this sketch

My next card is made with an image from Priscilla - how could I not love this!  As soon as I saw it I realised that by keeping an eye out for what Priscilla does just ENABLES me with craft making - LOL!  This image is available over at CDAC for a limited time - it now also comes in three colours - divine!  I went for a classic combination of pink and black!

I added pearls around the neckline and lightly coloured the skirt with pink chalks and then added SU Dazzling Diamonds - there is a close up a bit further down the post.

I used three different DPs and lots of layering to complete this card!  You can see the shimmer of the Dazzling Diamonds below.

I used some silver mesh and some fabric roses that were way too big - I cut half the height off them and they were perfect!   Silver pearls added to some corners finished it off.

I am linking these to the following Challenges:

OSAAT - Black, White and one other colour - pink (card 2)

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes (both cards)

Charisma Cards - Anything But Square - rectangle (both cards)

Stamp Simply - Two's Company - both cards 2 corner dies (card 1) 2 roses (card 2)

Once again, it's "YOUR PICK" It is as Easy as 1-2-3.

"YOUR CHOICE"

 

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

CONGRATULATIONS to
Our MMSC63 Gold Star Award Winner

#5 Karin Van Eijk


Our MMSC63 Remarkables Awards Winners
#20 Dorcas
#31 Bonnie O'Clair

#45 Carolyn Miller



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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC64 weekly Bonus sponsor is..

Stamp and Create  .

a BIG Thank You to Our Monthly sponsor

Sew Many Cards

Thank you for coming by today - I love seeing you have been - don''t forget to pop across to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - we would love to see your cards - you know I will be over to visit you!!  O hope you are having a great day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

CSSC Timeless

This is my final card as Guest Designer for Cowgirl's Sunday Stampen' Challenge.  I have really enjoyed working with CJ's images, I will definitely be using them again!

I could not resist this one - it is called Dad'n Me.  I coloured it using my SU Chalks and a Blender Pen,  I have sponged around the edges, to give it a more aged look - and you know I love that!

The i age has been framed using a Cuttlebug Die - I have used the one Die which is about 1x2 inches and but it in half, adding these to the top and botton of the image. The side pieces are from the inside of the Die, you know the bits you normally throw out - as are the little corner pieces.  I really like the look of this - a bit like a Nestie!  I would dearly love to have more Nestibilities, my supplies are limited, but I also love the challenge of making something work - I tend to think it makes us more creative when we don't have everything at our fingertips.

I used the Ribbon Tags Nestibilitie, sponging the edges and adding a sentiment from Cristina Re.  The  buckle effect is done with the last 'leftovers' fron the Die, then ribbon is threaded through and brads are added - these are probaby what is keeping it al together - LOL! Oh I forgot to say that the DP has been embossed with the Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder.

I am linking this to:

Creative Inspirations Challenge #39 - Anything Goes

Our Daily Bread Designs - Distress It

Thank you to the Cowgirl's Sunday Sunday Stampen' Challenge  Design Team for having me this month, you are all is talented and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time.  Thank you to YOU for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment, I love to know you have been here!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}} 

SSIC LOC Layers of Light

What a fun we are having at Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge this week!  This weeks challenge is brought to us by Peggysue , the scripture is

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light."  Luke 8:16

Peggysue has challenged us to  make a Votive Holder or a card/project depicting a candle; here are two examples  -  the first one is here and the second one here.

Now I have to say, I have never made a Votive before and was highly amused (and secretly skeered) at the thought of it bursting into flames when lit - none of this battery operated candle for me! LOL!  I like to 'walk on the wild side!' LOL!

I found a candle in a glass cylinder and using patterned vellum, cut it to size, allowing for a punched border at the top - I used the Stampin' Up Eyelets Border Punch. 

I then used the Layers of Color Delicious Dots Art Stencil for the paper piercing above and below the butterflies from the Butterfly Collector Clear Art Stamps.  I have used StazOn - and am hoping it does! LOL!  I finished off with a row of white braid around the lower edge - this helps keeps it keep its shape as well as adds to the look! 

I have given the scripture Peggysue has shared with us a lot of thought this week - what does it mean to hide our lights?  I think it is easier to do than we realise, in this day and age when we are so conscious of not offending anyone with our beliefs, it is easy to go to the other extreme and not share anything rather than be open and just share from the heart - for me, hiding my light is...not living what I believe as well - it is one thing to share verbally but totally another to share though our lives.  Whether we like it or not - people are watching us, those of us who profess to believe and be 'of the faith' are instantly 'under the spotlight' in the eyes of those around us - how many of us have had people jump at us the minute we do something that they don't think fits with us being a Christian - how many times do we watch others in the same way!?!?

This is all very thought provoking for me - this week I am determined to make sure my light is not under a bushell or cover, but to let it shine! 

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, July 31st.  Make sure you pop over and see the other DT's creations, you know there is plenty of inspiration from these talented girls

*Lisa *  Chris * Cindy * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse* Rebecca *

I am linking this to the following challenges:
Mami Doodles - Anything Goes
Creative Inspiration Challenge - Anything Goes
Handful of Stamps - Punch the Stress Out
Gingersnap Creations - Shades of Blue

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 coming and visiting with me today and for the comments and encouragement you leave me here!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Blossoming

Don't you just love the weekend - there is always so much happening, but no matter what I always manage to sneak in a little craft time - it is my sanity break - and I am telling you I need it with three teenagers in the house!

I have created my own DP with the Layers of Colour Art Stencils - I think this one is one - Belle Brocade -  of my favourites, but I am sure too, I will say that about the next one I use - how can I help it, they are all divine!

 The image is from the Layers of Color Merci Bouquet clear art stamps, this set is so gorgeous and the urn is from Her Majesty's Urn's - they work so well together!  I stamped two of the flower image and have lightly chalked the flowers on one, infact I used rubbed my Blender Pen over them and that was enough, they then been cut out and popped up on foam dots - and a little bit of shimmer added.

You can see the dimension here - I love the way it just lifts a card and adds so much, paper piercing is another great touch that can bring a card to life!  I have used both the Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestibilities to create a frame around the image.

My bow is made using the wonderful Bow Easy and the gorgeous satin ribbon is from my dear friend and enabler, Sabrina (okimom2girlz) - hasn't she got great taste!  I added Cappuccino Half Pearls to the bow and finished off with a large bling brad with a pearl added just for something different!

I am linking this to:

Crazy4Challenges - Inspiration

Stamp Something - Something Flowery

Mami Doodles - Anything Goes

KL Stampin Scrappin - Ribbon

The Stamp Man - Anything Goes

Stampavie - Anything Goes

Practical Scrappers - Using Stash Older than 1 Year - my bling

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Inspiration

The Shabby Tea Room - From the Garden

Our Daily Bread Designs - Distress It

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 your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Faith Art Friday - My Soul Knows Very Well

I am honoured to be hosting Faith Art Friday at Layers of Color this week.  I love the fact that Laura has made these posts are faith, not about any product or any one thing, but sharing from the heart.  For that reason I have decided not to link to any challenges when I am hosting so that my focus stays true.

Life is unpredictable and I have seen this first hand this past week, we have had some friends and neighbours going through such devastating experiences and this can cause our hearts to be overwhelmed, I am so grateful for the knowledge that He knows us very well.  The words of this song are so encouraging and so powerful to meditate on...you can click here to hear it.

'You make Your face to shine on me
And that my soul knows very well

You lift me up, I'm cleansed and free

And that my soul knows very well

When mountains fall, I'll stand

By the power of Your hand

And in Your heart of heart I'll dwell

And that my soul knows very well

Joy and strength each day I find

And that my soul knows very well
Forgiveness, hope, I know is mine
And that my soul knows very well '

Thank you for visiting today, this has been a different post for me, but I hope you are encouraged by these words.  It is so reassuring for me to know that although things around can be falling apart, we are able to stand!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC A Vintage Touch

It has been great having so many of you call across and visit - I do appreciate you taking the time, I know life is so busy for everyone!  You make blogging such a great place to be!  My card for you today is created using both Layers of Color Art Stencils and Clear Art Stamps.

I sponged the DP using with the Layers of Color Botanical Swirls Art Stencil, tearing one edge and sponging it with the distressing ink - I used Frayed Burlap and Peeled Paint to get this look!

A row of chunky lace has been added along the lower edge - I love the texture this adds - I had actually put it aside in my 'one day......' pile - I am glad I kept it!!

The flowers from the Nature Walk set  have been stamped, cut and coloured, popping them up on foam tape in several places.  I add some tape under some of the leaves to add more dimension.  Black brads are added. A strip of an old Hymnal has been pleated and sponged, then added beneath the lace!  The SU sentiment has been punched with a 'Ticketed' Punch and tucked in with the flowers....you can never have too many of these cards on hand.

I have tried to capture the two colours on the sponging with the Art Stencil, but it is overcast and not such a good day for photographing....but you can see the gorgeous Vintage Corner that was added as a finishing touch, along with two small black gems.

I am linking this to the following:

Stampavie - Anything Goes

Paper Playtime - Flower Power

Just Inspirations - Vintage

Your Next Stamp - Flower Power

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 your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC63 A Mother's Touch and more...

Things are rolling along nicely over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and we have heaps of inspiration for you fromt he Design Tam.  We are all loving visiting your Blogs ande seeing you fabulous cards - you inspire us so much - keep them coming!!

This week I have two cards for you again, the first one is using one of Priscillas new inages ''The Nanny!  This card was a lot of fun to make, I loved Priscillas card and tried to do something different,  I colured this 'happy pair with my SU Chalks, cutting them pout and popping them up on foam tape into a Labels 4 Nesitbilitie that has been embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.

I gave my Cuttlebug a good work out with this card - I used the larger Labels 4 and cut another frame in green and added it behind creating a frame - sis I stop there - NO - I used that funny little Die from the Vintage Corners, cutting each in half diagonally and popped it behind each corner of the frame.  To this I added some flowers and Bling - the little flowers are from a punch I picked up for $3 at Target (on sale) and never used as the petals kept falliing off the flowers - than I had a REVELATION and used thicker card - much better - sometimes I 'skeer' myself!

The rest of the card is self explanatory!  When I asked my family what to call ths card my DS said 'A Mother's Touch'   LOL - what is with that!??! 

 Now onto the second card - here I have used our weekly sponsors image Sophie's Floral Hat by D'Amour Allure.  I love this image Jeni and she was a pleasure to colour - as you may gather - I love colouring!!

I used similar framing and added flowers as per Priscilla's sketch.  The Stampin' Up DP was also embossed for added texture.

You can see the dimension here, plus the added photo corners with pearls and that gorgeous lace - I love lace on a card!

I am linking this to:

Stamp Something - Digital

AI Factory - Flower Frenzy

For Fun Challenges - Colour Your Images

Stampavie - Anything Goes

The Town Scrapper - Anything Goes -last post until after Labour Day

Paper Playtime - Flower Power

Well, that is it for me and it is all about YOU!  Here is this weeks sketch! 

Entering our challenge is as easy as 1-2-3 - you can check it out here

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Our MMSC62 Gold Star Award goes to...

#24 Donna Moore

Our MMSC62 Remarkables Awards this week go to...

#5 Karin Van Eijk
#20 Anne Ryan

#28 Lesley aka SuperNan
#41 Sue Drees

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

A big thank you to our fabulous sponsors

 

Our weekly sponsor

D'Amour Allure

and

our Monthly Sponsor

Sew many Cards

Thank you for looking and your fabulous comments - you are always so generous and make my day!  I am lookiing foreward to having you play along and being inspired by you!  Don't you love the way we can all start with something like this sketch and end up with something so unique and FABULOUS!!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

SSIC LOC Home Made

It has been great to see so many of you playing along with last week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge there is so much inspiration in your cards- they are fabulous!  This week's challenge is brought to is by our very own 'amazing Grace'  The scripture she has chosen is one that we are all familiar with and such a great truth!

"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it". Psalm 127:1a

Grace has challenged us to use an image of something that is "built" using a set of plans ... a house, church, school, automobiles, even a bird house...anything that would be built according to a set of plans

I love this birdhouse that my dear friend Laura from Layers of Colour designed and it is perfect to use for today's Challenge. 

As you would know, birdhouses like these have to be built, birds don't create them - not here in Australia anyway!  LOL!   This scripture is such a reality check and a truth.  It reminds me that what I do in life, no matter how successful it night seems to the natural eye, that unless God is in it, that I am living according to His plan, it all will come to nothing.

I don't know about you, but there are plenty of things I undertake, with the skills I have and the abilities that may even be God given BUT they just don't achieve that which I  planned - at these times when I throw my hands up in the air, wondering why it is not all 'happening' I become acutely aware that is is time for me to go back to the 'drawing board' and check in with the Master Builder!  I usually need to reprioritise and check that I am not running to my own agenda!

There is nothing that I can do or achieve under my own steam, that is ultimately of any value, but when I allow God to be in control and allow Him to order things them there is nothing that cannot be achieved and my heart is blessed knowing that God's Word reassures me...

'For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me' Jeremiah 29:11-13

Amazing enough - I know that God's plans are not dependant on whether I choose to seek Him or not - they are constant, but it is WHEN I seek Him that I get to benefit from them - the responsibility and CHOICE falls back on me!

I have had even more reason to think about this as we got a knock on our door this afternoon and had to run to the aid of a neighbour who had collapsed in his yard.  At first glance I could tell he was gone and have his face etched in my mind, another neighbour worked on him administering CPR until the medics arrived.  Two ambulances, two Police cards, 6 adrenalin injections and a number of attempts to start his heart but nothing could revive him, we waited with his wife while the authorities came and were interviewed by Police/Detectives and then finally, hours later saw his body being taken away....and it hits home even moreso that no matter what I put my hand to, no matter what plans I make...

 "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it". Psalm 127:1a

We have no assurances of the length of our life - but we can know who holds our life in His Hands.  My prayers are with our neighbour who has lost her husband at 69 - they have been together and best friends since they were 18 years old!  Rest in Peace Tom 18 July, 2010

I am linking this to the following challenges:

PaperTake Weekly - In the Garden

Little Red Wagon - Use a Tree on Your Project

Stampavie - Anything Goes

Allsorts - Summer Days

Pollycraft - Bold and Bright
Our Daily Bread Designs - Colour It

Thank you to this week's sponsor

Wink Wink Ink Digital Designs

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

*Lisa *  Chris * Cindy * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse* Rebecca *

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 your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}