LOC Friends Forever

Today's post is a special post and one that we at Layers of Color have mixed feelings about - the theme of Forever Friends and we are honouring our dear friend and sistah - Grace ! 

I know Grace is no stranger to many of you, she blesses you with her works of art and of the heart and touches many lives each day with her love and faith, that is so very much part of who she is!

Grace is a talented, hardworking and devoted designer, on so many Design Teams and is moving into a new season - Grace is stepping down from the official Design Team due to her physical limitations, however she doesn't plan on going far.... as of today, Grace will be a Retired Layers of Color Designer. 

 Although no longer a member of the Design  Team, Grace will be an official "Friend of LOC". Grace has a connection with LOC that goes beyond Team commitments - the heart connections that have grown so strong mean that we are not saying "Goodbye" but, "See you around my friend". We have all grown close and will always be Friends Forever!

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Grace as a very dear friend, who holds a special place in my heart - we have had the pleasure of being Twisted Sistah's together and working on both Stampin' Sisters in Christ and Layers of Color  Design Teams. 

Grace you know I love you Sistah and it is always so hard to put into words what the heart wants to say - but this song by Michael W Smith and Amy Grant expresses it so well - Friends are Friends Forever!

 Grace, we  love and admire you - in honor of you, your Layers of Color friends and sisters have each created a special post for you.  If you are hopping along from the Layers of Color Blog, you will have been inspired by Nina's Crafting in Croatia

* Laura *  Melisa *  Nina *  Linda (me)  *  Jennie *  Janice *

I know that wherever the Lord leads Grace, she will find much success and fulfillment. We wish her all the best  and I hope you will be sure to stop by  Grace;s inspiring Blog 'Th-INK-ing of you' today and give her some of that 'loving' you are so good at!!   I know I am not alone in saying that I will not be a stranger on her blog and continue to always leave inspired.

God be with you and keep your body and soul well, our precious friend!

From here please visit Jennie's Stampin' Away the Day and see her tribute to Grace!!

This is for the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Encouragement
Just us Girls - 3D - flowers and tag
Tip Top Tuesday - Layer Upon Layer
Artful Inkables - Die Cuts and Punch
Paper Romance - Add a Tag
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Little Paper Shop - Lets get Funky - Distressed and sponged edges
Papertake Weekly - Cut it Out

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company. 

Layers of Color Art Stamps has a FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun!... and... Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

 Thank you for stopping by today, be sure to visit with the Layers of Color Design Team and see their tributes to Grace, you can find Grace's Layers of Color gallery here

God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC A Month of Madness!!

Hello it is great to see you here - November is slowly moving past us and December is only a day away!!  We are counting down here as it is my DS's birthday on December 2 - we have been counting sleeps for weeks!! This week at the  Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge   we have some fun planned for you! 

The Midnight Madness Sketch  Challenge has combined three sketches in this post that will last the WHOLE MONTH. We have supplied both the FANCY and CAS sketches for you. In the true celebration of crafting, you are more than welcome to enter as many cards as you like this month. You can even do a few of each if you want to.  

I could not help myself and had to make a card for each sketch - all three cards are made using images from "priscillastyles" Stores - you can see them here. The dragonfly is a personal favourite of mine and I love the way the wings pop up so easily - ready for flight!  I have to say I LOVE this sketch and will be using it again during the month!

Priscilla's Christmas images are so elegant and I could not go past these fabulous Christmas Bells -

They are so festive and I loved the opportunity to use that extra bling, that we all LOVE at Christmas!!  The gorgeous DP that you can see, with the gold embossing is part of a gorgeous RAK I received from my DT sister and friend Gunn - thanks Gunn - I am treasuring every piece and using it carefully!

The bling is some left over Phone Bling that was lying around the house from one of my girls - I tell you nothing is safe here, well not since I started card making anyway!!  LOL!

My third card has been created using the wonderful Christmas Stocking image by "priscillastyles" Stores - who wouldn't love a stocking stuffed full like this!  I have gone for more earthy tones rather than the traditional Christmas colours - it is another wonderful sketch!

I have used an assortment of bling and glitter pends for that added shimmer that continues to remain elusive to the camera, but I am sure you know what I am talking about!  The gold ribbon and cord add something different and I am loving the effect!  I think I have forgotten how to craft without a sketch these days! 

All images have been coloured with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen - my favourite technique!  I love to colour, it takes me back to my childhood and has continued on in my life under the banner of 'therapy!'!  LOL!

These cards are for the following challenges:

Cards for Men - Masculine and Christmas - card 3

Karbers Weekly Challenge - Dogi and Sparkle - all cards

Little Paper Shop - Funky Edge - all cards - distressed and sponged

Oh La La Creations - Inspired by a Christmas Song - Card 2 Jingle Bells

Woodware USA - Anything Goes - all cards

I Did It Creations - Surprise Me - all cards

One Stitch at a Time - Bling It On - cards one and 1 and 2

Scrappy Frogs - Christmas - all cards

2 Sisters Challenge - Non Traditonal Christmas Colours - card 3

Christmas Stampin' - Anything Goes - all goes

Everyone on the The Midnight Madness Team, the "priscillastyles" Team want to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!!  We have loved having you join in with us each week and visiting your Blogs for inspiration and the friendship that just overflows from them!  You have all been a blessing to me personally and I pray your Christmas will be a blessed one - filled with love and laughter, health and happiness, love and laughter!  More than that I hope that you take the time to remember WHO we celebrate - Wise men seek Him still! 

Don't forget - this month is the same as all of the other weeks  - it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

Our MMSC81 Gold Star Award goes to...

#21 Teri Sherman


Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
#9 Brenda
#41 Chris Olsen
#60 Anne (Stargrove)


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

**Our Nov Monthly sponsor is....

Make sure you check out all of the Design Team Blogs for inspiration - these girls are amazing!!

Carol  * Charlotte * Connie * Darsie * Denise * Denise P *Gunn *

Holly R M * Marsha * Phyllis * Priscilla * Tracy

Thank you so much for coming to visit and for the constant lovely comments you leave for me!  I love seeing that you have been!  We would love to see you play along this week at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and also at the Crafter's Digital Art Centre - where things are moving along at a great pace - it is so much fun - Priscilla has a Group there too and it is growing everyday we would love to see you there!!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

SSIC LOC All Things

This weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ  Challenge is brought to us by the wonderful Lisa , who has chosen this verse!
.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

 Philippians 4: 13

Lisa has challenged us to make a card/project of encouragement or congratulations

I have used this gorgeous butterfly from Layers of Color Flutterescent art stamp set - I love these butterflies.  It is layers onto the Floral Frame cling art stamp, which is deeply etched red rubber and coordinates with Spellbinders Labels 16....what a perfect combination!

I coloured the images with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, adding light touches of Kindy Glitz for that shimmer I love with these images.

The wings are popped up on foam tape for extra dimension and a paper pierced trail has been added behind the butterfly.

The gorgeous flowers from Wild Orchid and Prima finish this card off, along with the Vintage Corners.

Make sure you check back at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge to read Lisa's devotional.

This card is for the following challenges:

Artful Inkibles - Die Cuts and Punches

Inktegrity - Anything Goes

Delightful Sketches - Flower Power

Hodge Podge - Anything Goes

Stamp Insanity - Try Something New - Cling art stamp

Creative Belli - R Embellishments - Roses, rhinestones

Fab'n Funky - Go With the Flow

Anything Goes Challenge - Animals

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes

PaperTake Weekly - Cut It Out

For more inspiration make sure you visit each of the Design Team:

*Lisa * Chris * Grace * Patti J * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse * Rebekka *

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company. 

Layers of Color Art Stamps has a FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun!... and... Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

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

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Art for Arts Sake

Thank you for stopping in today - I have been working on something that has been so much fun and want to share it with you!  I am so excited and honoured to be asked to teach Card Design at the Local Art Centre - Tuggeranong Art Centre,  starting first term next year - how exciting is that!!

  Even more exciting is they are wanting me to use my Layers of Color art stamps - this makes it perfect for me!

I was asked to create a some art advertising the Classes to be in the reception window - and this is what is came up with...

Using the fabulous Natural Flourish art stencil and those divine butterflies from the Flutterescent art stamp set.

Along with the Belle Brocade art stencil and another butterfly from the Flutterescent art stamp set - I love these butterflies and have coloured them with SU Chalks and added some Kindy Glitz for that shimmer that works so well on their wings.

The Vintage Medallion art stencil has sponged with Tim Holtz Distressing Inks in some festive Christmas colours - red, green and orange - each art stencil has had the same techniques and colours used.

Did you notice anything? The purpose of this is to advertise the classes and I had so much fun I forgot to leave room for any words - LOL!! 

As this is a 12x12 I added a panel to each end of it with the details - phew!!  It took longer to cut the letters out with the Die Cut than to create the art work!!!  Arghhh!!

This is for the following challenges:

The Stamp man - Christmas and anything Tim Holtz

Digi Doodles Shops Best - Red and Green

Stamp Insanity - Try Something New - a poster!

Creative Inspirations Challenge - Red, Gold and Green

Integrity - Anythng Goes

Creative Belli - Anything (R) - rhinestones

Gingersnap Creations - Vintage Hues

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company. 

Have you visited Layers of Color  FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun!... and... Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

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

{{{hugs}}}

Faux Cleaning Linda Style

I have had such fun cleaning my desk - is it clear now - definitely not but I have created these fun projects

What started off as Christmas Gift Tags soon became Christmas decorations and just as quickly became Book Gems. 

It all began when I started packing up the Cuttlebug and saw the Spellbinders Labels 14 just sitting there begging me to use it before packing it away ....and you know I could not resist, especially with those card stock leftovers lying there right next to it!

The :Layers of Color Belle Brocade art stencil added to the chorus calling my name - so yes - ink hit those divine stencils and things were coming together wonderfully

 - don't you love those inchies that are part of a RAK from Laura from Layers of Color - add some ribbon and a tassel - finishing with bling and that part of the desk is.....messier than it was before! LOL!

The Fleur de Lis Embossing Folder was in need of some attention and a quick massage with ink soon brought the offcuts of white card stock to life! 

 Adding an image from the Layers of Color Acanthus art stamp set that has been punched out with a circle pinch and layered onto a larger black circle

Is my desk any clearer - well, we all know the answer to that - but the right side of my brain is very happy!! LOL!  I don't know about you but I LOVE the feeling of creating something out of those leftovers!  These are perfect to pop in with your Christmas card to give that little 'something extra' and better still it is a 'work of the heart!'

These are for the following Challenges:
Artful Inkibles - Die Cuts and Punches
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes
PaperTake Weekly - Cut It Out
Everybody Art Challenge - Use Shapes
My Time to Craft - Something with a Tag on it
Scrap Creations - Blue and White or Silver - Tag 2
Bunny Zoes Crafts - Christmas But no Cards
Cards for Men - Masculine and Christmas - Tag 2
Pollycraft - Blue - Tag 2
Die Cut Dreams - Anything But a Card
I Did It Creations - Wings - Tag 1
Marks Finest Papers - Add a Circle
Secret Crafter - Handmade Christmas Gifts
Mami Doodles - Fuzzy
The Stamp Man -Anything Tim Holtz and Christmas Theme - Distressing Inks

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company. 

Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FACEBOOK GROUP where you can connect with many more LOC friends - You're invited to join the fun!... and... Layers of Color Art Stamps has a new FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

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

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC81 Christmas Frame/Perfect Shade

Wahoo - it is Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time and I am ready to go!!  this week I have two cards for you (no surprises there!)   I have used our monthly Sponsor The PaperTemptress on both cards - infact the whole DT has been using them all month - and we are all impressed with them - they are the most divine card stock and such a gorgeous variety!!

My first card with this fabulous sketch of Priscilla's is created using the Layers of Color Poinsettia Frame cling art stamp which is created to use with Spellbinders Labels 16 - you have to love that! 

I coloured with SU Chalks and added bling to the centre of each flower - you have to have bling and shimmer for Christmas! The ribbon has been pleated and I have added a button that I have placed a heart brad through - I love that effect - it certainly worked here - in my opinion!  LOL!

I was thrilled to see the sketch as I wanted another opportunity to use this gorgeous Lacy Doily Die Cut - I cut it in half and added it to each side of the panel - easy!

My second card is created using one of 'priscillastyles' images - you can find it here!  I love this tree wouldn't it be amazing all covered with lights for Christmas - we put up our Christmas tree yesterday and it had got me it a Festive Frame of mind!  LOL!

I used my new Spellbinders Fancy Tags to create these corners - I love the decadence of them, especially in the gorgeous gold card stock from The PaperTemptress.

I could not resist the gorgeous corrugated card stock from our The Paper Temptress - who truly lives up to her name!  LOL!

These cards are for the following challenges:

Scrappy Frogs - Christmas - card 1

Digi Doodle Shop Best - Anything Goes - both cards

Our Daily Bread Designs - Holiday - card 1

One Stitch at a Time - A Season or an Event - Card 1

Lexi's Card Creations - Traditional Card Colours - Card 1

Paper Romance - Favourite Things - Spellbinders - both cards

Gingerfloft Challenge - Great Outdoors - Card 2

Crafty Pad - Red and Green - Card 2

Tip Top Tuesday - Buttons - Card 1 - on ribbon

CCEE Challenge - Buttons - Card 1

Frosted Designs - Distressing - Both cards

Caardvarks - Holiday Die Cuts - Card 1

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

"YOUR CHOICE"

!

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

Our MMSC80 Gold Star Award goes to...
#4 Sassy

Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
#18 Nancy Williams
#27 Sarah T
#42 Sandee
#64 Michelle Pearson


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

Our MMSC81 weekly Bonus sponsor is.....

 "Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More"

Our Nov Monthly sponsor is....

The PaperTemptress

 Thank you Patricia, we just love your products.

Make sure you check out all of the Design Team Blogs for inspiration - these girls are amazing!!

Carol  * Charlotte * Connie * Darsie * Denise * Denise P *Gunn *

Holly R M * Marsha * Phyllis * Priscilla * Tracy

Thank you so much for coming to visit and for the constant lovely comments you leave for me!  I love seeing that you have been!  We would love to see you play along this week at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and also at the Crafter's Digital Art Centre - where things are moving along at a great pace - it is so much fun - Priscilla has a Group there too and it is growing everyday!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}