LOC Sneak Peek 2 Bird Queen

I am excited to be bringing you  my second  SNEAK PEEK of the Layers of Color New Releases - as you may have seen,  Laura has been busy creating something new and it is with great pleasure I show you one of the new RED RUBBER stamps - yes Layers of Color is branching out into rubber!!

This stamp is called Bird Queen and is a personal favourite of mine - I love the vintage feel it has!!  I am using it on an Album cover - I have discovered that I ADORE making Albums - they have become a passion of mine!

I coloured the image lightly with SU Chalks and added some Kindy Glitz for the shimmer, finishing off with some half pearls - the image has been cut out and  glued onto the album front,  The DP I have used is a Stampin' Up one - Bella Blue perhaps!?

Layered flowers have been added, I used the Layers of Color Nature Walk Clear Art Stamp for the top flower - it is perfect for the look I am wanting to achieve!

I am linking this to the following Challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Something from Your Stash - DP

Cowgirl's Sunday Stampen Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Bloomin' Marvellous

Crafty Cardmakers - Step Away from the Square

I look forward to showing you the different Red Rubber Stamps available on October 11 - in the meantime, make sure you pop over to Layers of Color and see the inspiration that Laura has there and in the meantime - start saving - for when they hit the store on October 11!  Please pop by the other Designers Blogs, they will be sharing some New Release projects during the week!

Laura * Grace * Janice * Jennie * Melisa * 

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery,  We would love you 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, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

SSIC LOC Just Because

Doesn't the week go past so quickly - it is Sunday and that means it is time for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge!!  This week Lisa is sharing the scripture with us and she has chosen...

 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14

Lisa has challenged us to make a card of apology or one reaching out to someone and encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward .

I have used the Layers of Color Clear Art Stamp Acanthus Leaves and embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. I am recycling some old Christmas cards and using the back of them on some of my cards - some of these have fabulous texture, like the one I used here!  I cut it out with the Nestibilities Labels 1 and sponged the edges while it was still in the Die!!  I have seen this done before and love the effect - there is always something to learn each day!!

I stamped and coloured the flower from the Nature Walk Clear Art Stamps with chalks, cut it out and secured it with a large gold brad - these are not just any brad, but were given to me by our friend Jack, who has given me many gorgeous vintage finds along the way - these brads are from an old bank and used to be used - they are have now been updated and made their way to the sanctuary of my Craft Central!!

I embossed a sentiment from Stampin' Up in Gold Embossing Powder and but it out using the Ribbon Tags Nestibilitie and attached it with gold brads.

I have thought about the scripture for this week and 'forgetting about what lies behind' and today was reminded of it again today as we had a surprise visit from a very dear friend, we met him and his family when they came across from Hawaii to be Missionaries at the Church we were attending, after two years they went back and took part of our hearts with them.  Over the past six years we have missed them terribly - you can imagine our delight when we saw him walking along our veranda this morning - we could not get to the door quick enough to hug him, we were all falling over ourselves!

The Church we had attended together had some issues come up and things took a bad turn and needless to say people were badly hurt and sadly there were causalities.....Many people were so hurt and are still recovering today.  I look at this scripture and thank God that He gives us the ability to make the choice to forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

When we get hurt we can tend to stop where we are and let that hurt take hold of our hearts, making it almost impossible to move forward - I love way it says 'straining' toward what is ahead - sometimes it is an effort to move forward - we tend to say back at that ;point 'selling souvineers' of our experience and not moving past it, reliving those events over and over....but we need to leave that place and move forward if we are to reach the goal, win the prize. The Bibles tells us to separate the precious from the worthless - and I am challenged to do this - to leave those things which really, in the big picture are not important at all and move on to that which has value!!

Thank you to our Sponsor

Simon Says Stamp

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

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

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!!

This card is for:

Creative Inspirations Challenge - Recycling

Our Daily Bread Designs - Three of Something - layers - DP, Nestie, Flower

Cute Card Thursday - Whateva!

Alphabet Challenge - Nature 

Double Dare Card Challenges - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes
Alota Rubber Stamps - Distressing
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Distressing
Delightful Sketches - Distressing
Stars and Stamps - Use Patterned Papers

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}}}

MMSC65 All Lit Up & Party Animal

Who doesn't love Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time - not me!!!  Each week we love to the inspiration you bring us and this past week has been no exception - you are all amazing!!  This week I have had the privilege of playing with one of the digi's from our weekly sponsor our very own Priscilla, of "priscillastyles" Store

Don't you love this image - my Mum has a lamp like this in her house and it is fabulous so I was excited to see Priscilla draw one.  I used a mix of Chalks and Prismacolors to get the right shade of yellow - I am not really a yellow person but it just seemed to go with this image for me!

I used DP from DCWV One Upon a TIme' Stack and added a strip of CS embossed with the D'Vine Swirls Embossing Folder - I always love the movement this folder gives to a card!   The image is cut out and popped up on foam dots, onto some white CS that has been distressed and had some paper piercing added to the corners!  I added three small circles to the top and bottom - to look like scallops!!

How did you go with the circle - I was glad to have this SU one on hand and cut some acetate out and tapped it to the back of the circle - it worked well! PHEW!!  A layered flower and some nail bling is added as final touches.

You know I wasn't going to resist one of Michelle Perkett's images don't you - how is this adorable puppy - way too irresistible for me!  I printed it twice and cut out one image, colouring it with SU Chalks and popping it up on foam dots! 

I used light grey around some of the edges and added some glitter around the tag - hard to see I know!  Kaiser flowers have been added to the top and the bottom and attached with white brads,

The sentiment circle is from an older Stampin' Up set (thank you Melinda!!) and is popped up on foam dots!  You can see the dimension here....

So there you have it - now it is your turn!!  Here is 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"

Our MMSC64 Gold Star Award goes to...

#35 Dreamtime

Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
#17 Peggy

#26 Sue Drees
#64 Marsha Sanderlin

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

a BIG THANK YOU to

Our MMSC65 weekly Bonus sponsor

"priscillastyles" Store

Our Aug Monthly Sponsor

 Michelle Perkett Studio

I am linking these to the following Challenges:
Cowgirl's Sunday Stampen Challenge - Animal's 'n Bugs - Card 2
Creative inspirations Challenge - Anything Goes - Both Cards
Cute Card Thursday - Texting Crazy  - Card 2
Paper Play Challenges - Anything Goes - Both Cards
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes - Both Cards
By the Cute & Girly - Animal Antics - Card 2
Charisma Cardz - Something with a Tail - Card 2 
Dutch Dare Card Challenges - Anything Goes - Both Cards
Rose D's - All Creatures Great and Small - card 2
Stamping with the Dragon - Distressing - Both Cards
Ellephantastic - Distressing - Both Cards

Thank you for stopping by today, I always love to know you have been - and appreciate your comments and encouragement!!  Blogging is one of my favourite places to be!!  I cant wait to see what you come up with - you know I will be there to see!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

TSC0719 Prettily Pierced

Here is my card for this week's Twisted Sister Challenge, it has been a while since I played along and I HAVE MISSED IT!  This group of Sistah's are such fun, each week we take turns to set the challenge and this week, it is my turn.  I have chosen Paper Piercing - nice and easy!!

I have used the Layers of Color Art Stencil Delicious Dots as a paper piercing template - how cool is that!  I love the way it has turned bout - I was inspired by our dear Stampin' friend and Sistah NinaB, whose cards just amaze me!  I love the way it turned out. 

I then added some flowers from the Flowering Gems Art Stamp Set, these flowers are gorgeous and so easy to use.  they can be used as singles or layered, chalked, pencils, Copics, bling, shimmer - you name it, they make it look good!

To finish I added a row of lace and red Vintage Corners.  One easy card, just what we need at times!

I am linking this to the following Challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - Inky Fingers

Polka Doodle - Summer Theme

Magical Carfts Fortnightly Challenge - Flower Power

Delightful Challenges - Summertime Challenges

My Sheri Crafts - Summer

Easy Craft Projects - Summer

My Partner in Crime - Summertime

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 looking and for those lovely comments you leave me - I appreciate you taking the time, especially when things are so busy - thank you!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

SSIC It's Peggy Sue's Birthday!!

Today it is Peggysue's birthday, and we at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges are throwing her a virtual birthday party, each of us is going to bring something special - some of Peggysue's favourite things infact!  You will see what I am bringing further down this post....but in the meantime.....

Often floral cards are inspired by my DH's photography - and as I am bringing something YUMBLY to the party I thought I would show you something with BOLD colours - using Layers of Color art stamp set Merci Bouquet.  I have used some gorgeous textured DP that Laura sent me in a RAK - it is a shame you cannot feel the texture here - I am very much a 'hands on and inky fingered' type person and this appeals to me greatly!

I am inspired by this lovely photo taken by my DH - he is a photographer and often his photos are of our flowers and backyard, or local scenes - you can see some of these here.

 So naturally, I am bringing CHOCOLATES and not just any chocolates - calorie fee chocolates!!  Is there such a thing - well yes, and here they are!!

They look yummy don't they, but don't be fooled, they are calories free because they are candles and can you believe that someone actually tried to bite them - arghhhh!  While I was taking the photo I asked my DD1 if she knew which one had the bite marks and before I knew it, she bit this one - what is with that!!?!?  She says she was helping me.....hell-o-o-o!!!

Now, I did offer to being drinks, but just as well Kathy had that covered - look what happens to them in our house...LOL!  Just as well really, as I believe Peggysue drinks Diet Pepsi!!

If you arrived here from Randi's Blog, then you're in the right place! If not, please start this short hop at SSCC blog.  If you happen to get lost along the way, the blog hop order is:

Candace
Kathy
Miesje
Lisa
Randi
Linda (that's me!)
Kristine

Grace

Chris

♫ Happy Birthday to you Peggysue - hope your day is 'SWEET' lovely! ♫  Corny I know - but I could not help myself!  LOL!  Don't forget to stop by and wish Peggysue a Happy Birthday!  The next stop on the Hop is the very lovely Kristine

Thanks for coming by today and for your fabulous comments, you are always so kind!!  God bless you!!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC SSIC Sing of His Love

I am excited to bring you my first card as an official member of the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Design Team. Thank you for your congratulations and lovely comments, you have made it even more special for me!

 This weeks challenge is brought to us by the lovely Kathy and she has chosen

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

What a perfect Scripture to be sharing on Easter Sunday, it really is the Easter Message.  Kathy has challenged us to  have the word LOVE, or something that symbolizes love to you, somewhere on your card/layout or project.

You just have to know I would use the Layers of Colour art stamp set Fleur Hearts and Royal Birds, these images have been cut out, coloured with chalks and popped up on foam dots!

  The recycled page from an old  Hymnal has been distressed and the edges inked.  

 The gorgeous ribbon is part of a very generous RAK from my dear friend Melinda (aka Melinda80) and that fabulous buckle is from Laura of Layers of Color

As we are celebrating  Easter and how these three days changed history and it became ‘His-story’ I am reminded of a song I heard when I was a new Christian and was privileged to see Sandy Patti in concert and was deeply moved by her song ‘In His Love’, it still speaks to me today and I am relieved to know I am safe in the ‘Love of God!’  I searched the internet to find this song, but found every other song she sings but this one - I did find the lyrics and would love to share them with you now!

In His Love

In His love, there’s a place where you can always hide away

In His love, there’s no need to run, no need to be afraid.

If the worlds a sea of trouble, you can always rise above

If you know that you are safely, In His love.

In His love, where all pain and sorrow quickly fade away

In His love, there’s a bright tomorrow just beyond today

If your heart is filled with sorrow, if it’s all you can think of

Still there’ll be a new tomorrow, In His love

Chorus

His love is never far away, yet sometimes hard to see

If we would take the time to pray

His love would flow through you and me

In His love, there’s a place where you can watch the world go by

In His love, there’s no need to hurry, everything’s on time

When the worlds a sea of trouble, you can always rise above

If you know that you are safely, In His love

In His love, there’s a place where you can always hide away

In His love, there’s no need to run, no need to be afraid.

If your heart is filled with sorrow, if it’s all you can think of

Still there’ll be a new tomorrow, In His love

Aren't they the most beautiful and touching words - to be safe in the love of God puts my heart at rest.  There is so much that can pull our hearts in every direction, that I need to know that there is a 'safe place' for me...and you!! 

A special thank you to our sponsor Joni the Owner of Inktegrity - Digital stamps by Joni who is blessing a Random player from this weeks draw with a $10 Gift Certificate from her store - thank Joni!

To be entered in the drawing, your card must be linked to Mr. Linky by 11:50PM PDT (GMT-8) Saturday April 10th. The winner will be chosen by random and will be announced on Tues. April 13th.  Please be sure to make the link direct to your project, not just your blog or gallery, and please place a link to Stampin Sisters in Christ in your post!

I am linking this to:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - It's So Distressing

Creative Card Crew - Vintage/Aged

Cute Card Thursday - Easter Theme/Egg

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Thank you for coming and for the lovely comments you have been leaving for me - I appreciate it that you take the time to leave a comment, it means so much.  I hope you get a moment to play along with this weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge, there is so much inspiration to be had and I would love to come and visit you!  God bless you!  {{{hugs}}}

FTTC52F My Favourite!

Our last Challenge for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays Challenge 1st Anniversary is from the lovely Maki Jones' "favorite stamp set" challenge (FTTC52F) Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

This was not hard for me to choose - the Sweet pea set is my favourite, of the ones I own. 

I have used a page from an old Hymnal, one that was given to me as it was falling apart.  I have distressed the edges (which didn't need much!) and sponged them with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink. 

The image has been coloured with  SU Chalks, then attached to the sheet music at an angle.  Recycled lace has been added along the lower edge of the image.  I have cut the image and popped it up over the lace.  to finish off a strip of pearls has been added to opposite corners.

How was that - we have made it - 6 challenges in one day - how much fun is that!!  how did you go?  Whether you played along in one or managed all six, make sure you link them to Mr. Linky over at the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge Blog! The keyword for this card is FTTC52F.

 Make sure you check out what the FTTC Design Team and other players have done - be prepared to be inspired to the breathless at the gorgeous cards that are there - these girls have worked hard to celebrate this great day - and don't we LOVE it all!!

Thank you for stopping in today and for your fabulous comments - I have enjoyed the day and appreciate all of your support! Whether you played along in one or managed all six, make sure you link them to Mr. Linky over at the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge Blog.

 I am looking forward to seeing your cards....God bless you!  {{{hugs}}}

FTTC52D Seat of Honour

Here we are with the fourth challenge today for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday  Challenge 1st Anniversary.  I am playing along with  Silke's 'think pink' challenge (FTTC52D) Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

I used my very first Flourishes set 'Three Chairs for You', stamping it first into white CS, which has been cut out with the Oval Nestibilitie, the into pink and white gingham, which I have used to paper piece the chair and for the Scalloped Oval Nestibilitie.  The chair has been cooloured with SU Chalks using a Blender Pen and then Distressed Stickles have been added to the swirls in the timber, for added texture.

The adorable little puppy has also been coloured with Chalks and popped up onto foam dots, sitting on the chair (as dogs do! LOL!)

Corner Dicuts have been added and pearls to the opposite corners, along with the sentiment from this set.  It has been cut into two, to balance the card...

I thought this was so cute with the dog - not sure it would be sitting there thinking about anyone, but it is nice to dream - if it is anything like our two dogs it is thinking about it's next meal! LOL!

 Make sure you check out what the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge  Design Team and Guest Designers have done - be prepared to be inspired to the "MAX!'

Thank you for stopping in, I hope you are able to play along with the challenges for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenges 1st Anniversary Celebrations,   make sure you link them to Mr. Linky over at the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge Blog.   Thanks for your comments, you know by now I love to see when you have been!  God bless you!

Gotta Give Her 'Credit'...

We all know that laughter does us good like medicine - what better way to have a laugh than these Emerson Gals - you know I love them - it is all to do with the attitude and they have plenty of that!!  I am making some for an order and have to say, this one is hillarious - how true is that sentiment - I don't know about you, but I am glad that we are not the same - how boring would that be!! 

This card of for the Mojo Monday Challenge, I have not played along with that for a while, so this makes  me happy!!  I love sketch challenges and this one is no exception!

The DP is part of a RAK that I was generously sent, don't you love these double sided pages, they make card making easy!  I shocked myself and did minimal sponging and used the SU Eyelet Border Punch along the left edge.  Single stsitch black ribbon was added at the join  The image has been coloured with Chalks and 'blinged up' with glitter pens and layered into black CS.  A layered flower with a brad  was added and the card finished off with some Kaiser Gems.

This was another quick and easy card - there is a part of me that feels like I am cheating when I am not adding layers and distressing, but when it comes to making cards for other people, you need to do what they want - I am quite happy with the end reult...although everything in me wants to pull her dress up a bit!  LOL!

Thank you for looking and for your  encouraging comments - I appreciate you taking the time - I just love knowing that you have called in!  I hope your week is going well, we have had a sick dog for a couple of days, she had us worried but seems to be on the mend now - phew!!  God bless you!

Good Friends

I love this High Hopes Image that I was sent many months ago by my Twisted Sister Darla Ryan. He was just so 'squeezable!' I have used this weeks Sketch from Crazy 4 Challenges...as my inspiration. It is only new and if you haven't been there yet - you can check it out here!

I used DP that I won in a Blog Candy from Tracey, cut it onto the squares, although on my card shape it is rectangles. I layered it onto black CS, which in turn has been layered onto the green card. The image is coloured with chalks and backed with back CS. I have added a circular sentiment, which has also been coloured with chalks and had Dimensional Magic added to the centre. Photo corners have been added and the card finished off with little black button brads.

Thank you for looking and for your comments, you are always so lovely, I love to see that you have been! It has been busy here...DH and I went shopping today with Mum and Deb...funnily enough we left the Factory Outlets without buying too much and found a gorgeous housewares boutique called '1825' - outside the boutique DH whispered in my ear 'we're only window shopping aren't we!?' to which I agreed...we walk out with a number of bargains...none brought by me!! Why?!? I am saving up for Thursday when we do to the other side of Canberra and on the way stop by a gorgeous Craft and Stamping store - yay!! I hope you are all having a great week! God bless you!

Dwelling Place

I have been strolling through blogs looking at what is around and was thrilled to find this new challenge called Crazy 4 Challenges.....it is a must...wait until you see who are on the Design Team - it can't help but be a success. I have had this post ready for a few days and realised I had better post it today...or I might be too late!

They are starting with a Sketch Challenge and I love it. I have made a card with a raised circle or the such like....and really like the look of it! I have used the Layers of Colors set Garden Borders, it added just the right touch for this simple yet pretty card.



The sentiment and scalloped circle was very kindly sent to me by my friend Kathy (aka Wattle on SCS) Thanks Kathy, I love the scripture stamps and amazingly, I have none -so I do appreciate your generous gesture! The Garden Borders was coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and has Kindy Glitz lightly added, I am always careful not to swamp the images with simmer. but just enough to highlight and add some interest! The other thing of interest is the gold paper - recycled from inside a chocolate box....you know I love to recycle and this was a find - of course the family were more than keen to assist me getting material for this card! LOL! It embossed so well and holds the texture beautifully....must buy some more of that brand...if only I could remember what ones they were - they were gone pretty quickly!!

So there you have it, this is pretty CAS for me....thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments, you always encourage me and make my day!! It is Saturday morning here and going to be a beautiful day...I am posting early as I have a few things to get ready today for my Mother's and Sisters arrival tomorrow - I can't wait!!! Will see you a bit later with another card - I can't help myself!! LOL! God bless you!

Hop on over to my PAD!

Yay, I have managed to make it to Mothermark's Tea Party Tuesday (ignore the fact that it is Friday there! LOL) Along the way I called into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge (oops late too - sigh!) where we had to use 3 ribbons, 2 flowers and one charm....I was thrilled to receive, amongst many others, this image of a frog, and the darling charm, from Pauline in the BLOG CANDY that I won....it is perfect for Mothermark's Tea Party which is all about frogs this week - you can check it out here:

But really Dar-r-r-lings - I see that there have been some rulz set up for this one - RULZ!?!? What are they, I heard (on the quiet,) they are made to be broken!! LOL! I will do my best to abide by them...but you may have to 'turn a blind eye every now and then - especially when I have noticed that most of my 'Twisted Sisters' have been coming along - T-R-O-U-B-L-E is ever there was! LOL!

Dar-r-r-lings I was mortified, I repeat mortified, to hear about sumos, lifeguards and being 'schnockered'....and one Tea Potter to a lily Pad - I have brought a Lily Pad that will fit HEAPS of people on...dar-r-r-lings if we are going to 'Party' then let's do it in style -'Hop on Over to My Pad'....there is room for you. I have even brought along some munchies...yes those ant brads are edible...delicious for a frog! Bearing in mind that this event takes place in a pond I chalked this frog and then touched him up with Water Colour pens...that way he would stay respectable for the whole event (this is our equivalent of Waterproof mascara!)

Did I hear Cindy mention paramedics....owwww....just quietly dar-r-r-lings...I don't mind a man in uniform...I may have to give someone a bit of 'gentle persuasion' into the pond before the night is out....look out gals...coz I is ready to party!!! On a personal note, I am delighted that we have left France...otherwise all of the frogs could be legless - skeery thought!!

Well enough chatter from me...I am off to mingle and hopefully I will catch up with you there...
Thank you for visiting, I love it when you stop by and love reading your comments - you know I LOVE to know when you have been!! It is Friday afternoon here and so sunny...windy too...but lovely and sunny! God bless you!