Unity- Friends with Flair

Hello everyone.  It is Friday.  It has been a busy day.  I was out most of the day running errands, so I was not sure if I would make it home to post my card.  I tried to post a few weeks ago and the link had already closed so I missed that opportunity.  Summer schedules are a bit crazy, but trying to create whenever I can get the chance.

For today's card I used the Itty Bitty by Angie Blom called Sunflower-miss you friend.  I added the sunflowers to a mason jar and colored with Copic markers.  I punched a lace border (Martha Stewart) and added a strip of pattern paper.  I thought the top looked a little empty and added a bit of washi tape and a button.  (The washi was in the "as is" section of Michael's, it had lost its packaging but was still really cute, looked in good shape and bonus was a quarter the price of the original. We all through out the packaging anyway, so it was a great find.  Check out those "as is" sections in your Michael's and you might also find a great bargain).

The sentiment came from a Jillibean soup set with the tag and I tied it with brown and white baker's twine.
Fun, sweet card.  Thank you for stopping by, I love to hear from you all.  Let me know what "bargain" you have found recently.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello There.  We are back for Inspired Stamps DT Thursday.  Today we are featuring a recent set released for Father's Day cards or dad cards in general.  There are a few scripture verses (such as the one featured on the card) and other dad related sentiments (like Happy Father's Day).
I colored the dad image with Copic markers and added a gray woodgrain panel behind.  Some faux stitching around outer edge for some interest.  I wanted to keep it pretty CAS and masculine with a pop of color.  I am seeing more and more men wearing these bright pastel colors.  My DH wears a dress shirt and tie almost everyday to work so this image is perfect for him.

I hope you enjoy the inspiration from the rest of the DT by clicking on the tabs to the right or visiting the Inspired Stamps blog, as always you can purchase these stamps and many others at their online Etsy shop.
Thanks for stopping by.

Finishing Strong-Operation Write Home Blog Hop

Hello everyone.  Glad you could join the fun for OWH's final campaign. Operation Write Home, a charity that has supported heroes with handmade cards since 2007, will be closing later this year.  All cards need to be sent in by August 1st, so I am helping to get the word out.  If you have cards and have been meaning to send them to OWH, do so before the deadline.  They will not take any more cards after August 1, 2015.

Today I made a Any Hero card using Inspired Stamps: HLO Soldier boy and Psalm 91 Protection.  You can check out these stamps and many others at the Inspired Stamps Etsy Store. I used papers from Pink Paisley Pen Pal collection.  I liked all the patterns in red, white and blue.  I used OWH sketch #234.  OWH has lots of sketches to use for inspiration.
Thank you to Sandy and all the other OWH helpers and cardmakers for supporting our troops in this way, what an awesome way to tell our men and women in the armed services that we appreciate their hardwork and sacrifices for our country.  Thank you for stopping by today and be sure to thank the soldiers in your life for their service and lift up their families in prayer.

Unity-Friends with Flair

 Hello, I wasn't sure if I would get this posted today.  But I made it.  I used the Itty Bitty, Big Summertime Bouquet.  The sentiment in this set says, "there are so many Beautiful reasons to be happy".  God provides all those beautiful reasons and I am so thankful.  I like the Recollections 110 lb cardstock for card bases.  It is a nice, sturdy weight and now they carry white, ivory and black.  I like the black base with the white panel on the inside, which I stamped in Memento London fog ink.  I also stamped the bouquet image on the envelope.  I have started trying to complete the "whole" card package.  I usually only make the outside and leave the rest blank, but I found I like the finished doing inside and envelope as well.
Have a great Memorial Day and if you are around tomorrow check out the OWH Memorial Day blog hop.  It is their final year to collect and send out cards, so come join in on the fun.

Inspired Stamps- DT Thursday

Happy Memorial Day (this weekend).
Today at Inspired Stamps, we are honoring our military with red, white and blue cards.  I also added HLO soldier boy.
How can we thank the many men and women that laid down their lives for our country, so that we can be safe and have our freedom?  We can honor their memories and lift up their families in prayer.  That God would provide for their needs and give them peace.
So please remember these brave men and women, this Memorial Day and always, they sacrificed everything for our freedom.
To all our soldiers still serving we pray for God's hedge of protection around you as well.  Thank you.

Thanks for stopping by.  If you are interested in these stamps or many others please head to the Inspired Stamps Online Store or visit the Inspired Stamps blog.

Unity-Friday Friends with Flair

Hello Fellow Unity Friends,
Today's card was used playing with Distress markers and inks to color in the Unity Itty Bitty set:  Thanks a Bunch.  I used a SU! die to cut out the thanks and colored it with distress inks and glued to card.  I added a few sequins for some shine and done.

Just a quick, clean and simple card.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Inspired Stamps- DT Thursday

 Hello and happy Thursday.  We have been having some beautiful, sunny weather here in the Midwest.  So it inspired me to make my own backgrounds to go with this stamp set.  I used distress inks to lay in the grass, sky filled with clouds.  I did this on two different sized circles and stamped John 10:27-28 in Versafine Black Onyx ink.
I stamped the sheep (individual stamp) in Memento Tuxedo Black and used Cool gray Copics and white enamel paint for texture.  I cut a banner and added another sentiment from The Lord is My Shepherd set and used some background papers from DCWV.
I had fun getting inky and creating my own backgrounds.  I hope you enjoy and meditate on this verse and thank God that no matter what, we are His and no one can snatch us from His Hand.  We are safe in His arms, this is so comforting.  I hope you find comfort in it today and have a wonderful day.
Thanks for stopping by and please check out the Inspired Stamps blog for more inspiration and find these stamps and many others in the Online Etsy Store.

Unity-Friday Friends with Flair

 Happy Friday!
For some reason this week seemed extra long.  It is always crazy busy at the end of a school year.  Only a few more weeks left and out for the summer.
Today for Unity FWF I played with coloring on Kraft cardstock.  I used color pencils on top image and I used watercolor technique with Distress markers on the trio of cards (below).  I used the Unity February Sentiment kit: Bunches of Love and had some much fun creating a set of cards using different coloring mediums.  I made matching envelopes by stamping just the flower portion of image on envelope using sand chalk ink.  It is subtle, yet beautiful.
I rounded the corners of the Kraft panel as well as the card base.
I love all the sentiments in this set, but only used 3 of the 9 included.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you will pull out some of your older supplies (like colored pencils) and use them on a project.  Have a great weekend and thanks so much for your lovely comments on my card last week.

Unity: Friday Friends with Flair

 Hello, It has been a long time since I have posted with Friends with Flair.  I have missed it. Life has a way of getting busy.  I hope to be able to post more often as the school year and sports commitments wind down.

Today I used the Itty Bitty by Angie Blom called Big Summertime Bouquet.   I love this set, it is a lot of fun to color.  I mounted the circle on a doily after coloring the image with Copic markers.  I recently bought the refills for my markers and refilled them so I am good to go.  I used some embossing folders for the background pieces and mounted it on a black card base.  When using a black card base it is necessary to add a panel on the inside to write your sentiment so I stamped the image in London Fog and the sentiment in tuxedo black.  I also stamped the image on the envelope to complete the set.

Enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures and thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment.
Have a great weekend.

Inspired Stamps- DT Thursday

Hello and welcome to the DT Thursday post for Inspired Stamps.  Today we were asked to use any IS alphabet stamp in combination with any other IS that we wanted.  I chose to make this banner for Mother's Day.  I used a 1 inch circle as a mask and stamped small flower images from two Inspired Stamp sets:  Guard your Heart and Card Ministry Basics.  I colored the images with Copic markers.  As I was putting card together I liked the MOM typewriter text uppercase alphabet popped up so I punched a 1 inch circle and stamped "MOM" and then cut a scalloped red circle behind and popped up on flag.  I added red twine a doily and designer paper from a couple of collections.
Remember to check out other ideas on the Inspired Stamps blog or click on links to the right and remember these Inspired Stamps and many others are available in the Etsy store.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone, I hope you are having a great week and getting a bit crafty in the midst of all your other responsibilities.  I know some weeks are hard for me to find time to create something.  This week was one of those weeks.  My oldest daughter came home from her first year away at college yesterday and I had to prepare her a place.
The window in front of my craft desk cracked and I had to move all my stuff into another space, since she was away at school, I chose her room.  They came and repaired the window and found another crack, so I have to wait for them to come back a second time, so I do not want to move all my crafty goodness just to have to move it again so I kept it in her room, well now she is home and window is not yet replaced.  Ughhh!!! What to do with all the stuff.  So yesterday I had to do some clever rearranging so she would have a place for her stuff, which seemed to multiply while she was away.  Isn't it funny how our stuff, especially our crafty stuff does that?  Anyhow onto my project for this week.
This week was DT choice and I have been waiting to do something with this paper mache cross I found at Hobby Lobby 80% off at Christmas.  I paid 0.20 cents.  I thought to myself, "for 0.20 cents I surely will find a use".  I found this great stone paper from one of my BoBunny paper packs, I think it was Enchanted Garden.  I decoupaged the paper to the cross and added this verse, which is a great reminder of the safety we have in the Lord, even when everything around seems to be out of control.  The stone reminded me of a tower, I also wanted some greenery to symbolize the "new life" we have in Jesus.  I made a rolled rose and colored some white paper twine with Distress Inks and now I have a beautiful reminder of the safety I have in Christ.  I tried to make the leaves look like a vine that would wrap its' way around the tower.
Have a great week and remember the Lord is our strong tower.
Check out the Inspired Stamps blog for more inspiration and the Etsy shop for more stamps like this 2 X 2 individual scripture Prov 18:10.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone.  Hope you are having a great week.  We have had bits of sun, peeking on us here and there.  The warmer temperatures have been a pleasant change.

Today at Inspired Stamps, we are creating Mother's Day/Love cards.  I thought this design lends itself to both categories.  I used the heart stamp from Card Ministry Basics set and part of the main image from Be Still Silhouettes set.   I love hexagons and I cut a layer with my new hexagon die and stamped the heart in all the open hexagons, I used foam tape to pop this whole piece up from the background.  I added the silhouette image and tied with piece of twine, added a bit of doily.  Could change up the color scheme for a whole different look.  Kary used this stamp last week and she inked all the flowers with different colors for quite a pretty look.  Please be sure to check out the Inspired Stamps blog for the other beautiful creations by our DT and if you are interested in these stamps or the many other Inspired Stamps designs and scripture stamps, please check out the Etsy site.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello, I hope you are having a great week.  It has been very stormy here in the Midwest.  I am ready for some Spring temperatures and some sunshine.
Today we are designing cards for Spring.  I used the Thinking of You set and BoBunny Primrose collection. I added a piece of lace at the seam.
The main image was stamped and colored onto a piece of white tissue paper and then I crinkled it all up and adhered it to a piece of white cardstock and inked the edges.  I like the interesting texture and the shabby chic look to it.  I also inked around the edges of the patterned paper and attached to a white card base.
Make sure to check out the other beautiful projects on the Inspired Stamps Blog and all the stamp sets used by the design team in the Etsy store.

Inspired Stamps Thursday DT

It is Easter week.  We should be thinking about what Christ has done for us on the cross.  He bore our sins so that we might become righteous in the eyes of God.  I was thinking about this when I was designing my card for this week and I chose words from several of the Hymn Girl stamps to represent my feelings.  I chose: Easter, cross, love, rejoice, worship, there are others but they wouldn't fit in the space provided.

I masked the image and stamped with light purple these words.  I colored March Hymn Girl with Copics and cut out a banner shape.  I added some purple flowers,  The sentiment is from Inspired Stamps His Cross set.  The Kraft background was created with a stencil and stencil paste.

Rejoice at what your Savior has done for you and have a blessed Easter.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello, Happy Thursday.  Today the DT is designing projects containing IS flowers and scripture.  For my card I used two Inspired Stamps sets:  Thinking of You and Spring Sketches.
 did a little Copic coloring and added a bit of embossing but otherwise a very clean and simple card.
Thanks for visiting and happy stamping.
Inspired Stamps can be purchased in the Etsy store and more inspiration can be found at the Inspired Stamps blog.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

 Hello, Happy Thursday.  It is Spring break here in my neck of the woods.  It has been a nice restful week.  I have had lots of time to be creative.  I have seen these screen cards and I wanted to try it.  I thought for today's theme of scripture this would be a great card.
This would be so encouraging for the recipient to display on their desk and remind them of how God uses their trials to produce endurance and that He uses all things for our good.  I know this is a great encouragement to me.  I embossed the panels and added some die cut leaves, that I water colored and then added Ranger rock candy.  It leaves a nice cracked finish.  I added punched flowers with pearl centers and some vellum butterflies with pearl middles.  This card would fold up and fit into a standard size envelope.
This is definitely one I will be creating again.  The scripture stamps are 2 X 2 individual scripture stamps from Inspired Stamps which can be purchased at the Etsy store.
Remember to check out the other DT projects and leaves some words of kindness.  We love to hear from you.  Remember the 31 days of March bible journaling is still taking place.  Visit the Inspired Stamps blog for the link to learn more about journaling in your bible.
Have a great week and create something and encourage someone.  Thanks for stopping by.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello and welcome to the Inspired Stamps DT Thursday post.  Today we were asked to create a "mostly green" project. Green is my favorite color, it has always been a color to make me happy, so here is what I came up with.  I used the BoBunny 6 X 6 paper pack Enchanted garden.  There was this great "mostly green" chevron tile pattern.  I cut along the tiles to create a break and added my sentiment from His Word stamp set.  I also stamped the vase of flowers from this same stamp set and colored with my newly refilled Copic markers, pulling the colors from the paper.  I matted image on scallop oval green pattern paper from same pack.  I used one of my Copic markers to color the string and looped it behind the image.  I added some glue and seal to the one end of string to loop it and allow it to stay in that shape.  This was a quick and easy card but with some details to give it more interest.

Remember the 31 days of March Bible Journaling tutorials. Go to the Inspired Stamps blog for a link to that site.  New stamps added to the Etsy store so be sure to check them out and if you live in the U.S.  there is free shipping for all orders over $25.00.  Gotta love free shipping.
Have a great day, weather is warming up but also bringing a bit of rain in parts, so stay dry.  Create something to encourage someone today.  You will also be encouraged in the process.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone.  Hope you are all warm.  We are in the midst of another bout of snow.  We went so long with a mild winter and now we are seeing some snow.
Today our theme at Inspired Stamps is Easter.  Easter is only a few short weeks away, so now is the time to start creating Easter cards to share with your friends and family.  I chose Hymn Girl: March and Perfect Sentiments for my card.  I decided to go with a clean and simple card, embossing the white card and stamping Hymn Girl in the center.  I chose to emphasize the significance of the cross by only applying color to it.  I added the sentiment with a few punched flowers with Perfect Pearl accents.

I want to remind you that all these stamps and many more can be purchased in the Esty store and that shipping is free for orders over $25.00 in the US.
For more inspiration be sure to check out the Inspired Stamps blog.  New stamp sets are released on Fridays and Antoinette is hosting a Bible Journaling class for the month of March at her companion blog.  Be sure to stop by and check out the wonderful inspiration.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone, Happy Thursday.  We are experiencing some snow flurries today in the Midwest.  Hope you are keeping warm where you are.  Today we are sharing more projects made with the 2 X 2 individual scripture stamps.
I used Isaiah 30:15, I find this a very reassuring scripture and added on the back a sentiment from Card Ministry Basics and the leaf stamp is from the Thank you set.
This card is an interactive swing card and I used Majestic squares from Spellbinders and BoBunny Primrose 6 X 6 paper pad.
Please be sure to check out the Inspired Stamps blog for more inspiration and the caring card series.  A new series is starting for the 31 Days of March:  Beginning Bible Art Journaling at GodblessyourART.  This is completely free, nothing to sign up for, just pop on over to see the posts and be inspired.  As always these stamps and so many more are available in the Etsy store and free shipping on all orders over 25.00 shipped in the US.

Inspired Stamps- DT Thursday

Hello, I hope you are keeping warm.  We have had a week of snow.  School has been out everyday this week.  Due to the altered schedule I had some time to "play" in my craft room today. I wanted to used two different embossing folders on a single layer card.  After I did I decided to go a bit further and play with some tintable pearl paint.  I added a drop of ink refill and mixed and painted in the flower petals.  I then used liquid pearls to paint in dots.  I kept the rest of card clean and simple.  I like the crisp, clean look of this card.
I used the Hymn Girl Sitting to the Left and Romans 8:31 2 X 2 individual stamp.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are keeping warm.
Remember to visit the Inspired Stamps Blog for more inspiration and visit their Etsy store for these stamps and many others.  Every Friday new stamps are added so be sure to check it out.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello, today we are making cards to tell the recipient that we are praying for them.  I used some hexagon punches and dies with the BoBunny Enchanted Garden paper again.  This is a very pretty paper pack and I felt it worked with my design.  I cut the butterfly out of vellum and added some rhinestones.  I think this would encourage any recipient.  This set also has a sentiment that says, "sending you knee mail".  I stamped that on the inside.  I love the play on words in our tech driven generation that I would send an actual card and actually get on my knees to pray for my friend.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the other projects by our talented DT.  Head over to the Inspired Stamps blog for more inspiration and remember the stamps can be purchased in the Etsy Store.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

 Hello, We are "thinking of you" here at Inspired Stamps.  Today the DT was asked to create projects with the theme of "thinking of you".  Inspired Stamps has several sets that could be used so be sure to check out all the DT projects for a lots of inspiration.
I love interactive cards and I love these swing cards, you have seen several versions in my previous postings.  Sometimes the mechanism limits the size of the shape that can be used (here circles) to ensure the card properly opens and closes.  This can pose a problem with using sentiments because many are quite large. Inspired Stamps, however has several stamp sets with sentiments the perfect size.  I used three sets on today's card: Thinking of You, Card Ministry Basics, Thank You Garden Builder sets.

I used three different papers from the BoBunny 6X6 Enchanted Garden paper collection.
I am sorry that it is very difficult for me to take good pictures of these swing cards.  The camera only wants to focus on certain parts at a time.  I took several photos so that you may see the various details of the card.
I stamped the flower image on vellum cardstock and colored the back with Copic markers and cut the image into three separate images and used them throughout the card.
The magic number for today's card seems to be three.  Three interactive circles, three stamps sets , three pieces of floral image , three designer series papers.  Huh, I guess I had a thing for three, they say in design that odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye.  Subconsciously I thought so too.  What do you think?

The small rose bud from main image used with sentiment.

The Card Ministry Basic set even has images that can be used on the back of the card for an added special message to the recipient and allow the designer a place to sign and date.  I have a card ministry within my church and this is a great set to show a bit of encouragement for any occasion.
Thanks for stopping by today and I love to hear from you so please leave a comment.  It is like a "cyber hug".  Remember that Inspired Stamps online store has moved to Etsy and you can click the link to find all the sets I have used and many more.  Every Friday new sets are added to the store.  Check out the Inspired Stamps blog for wonderful ideas on making "caring cards" such as these today and many others.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday!
Today the Inspired Stamps DT is creating projects using scripture.  I chose Psalm 119:50 from the His Word set.  I used some dies for making Project Life Journaling cards.  I embossed the Co'ordinations cardstock with circle flower embossing folder and sanded to bring out the green core.  I used the BoBunny Primrose 6 X 6 paper stack that will be available in the Inspired Stamps Etsy store very soon.  I die cut the flowers and layered using both sides of cardstock.
Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the other DT projects.  Stop by the Inspired Stamps blog to see what new stamps will be available for purchase on Friday.  Remember all these stamps can be purchased in the Etsy store and all purchases over $25.00 in the US are free when you use the code provided.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

 Hello and happy Thursday.  I have a new card using the Hymn Girl: Sitting Here Thinking stamp.  I colored the image with Copic markers.  I fussy cut it out and then used foam tape to add to a die cut oval that I used distress inks to create a sky background.  I used a piece of brown cardstock embossed with woodgrain embossing folder, a piece of green Bazzill cardstock and a piece of the Madeline collection from BoBunny 6 X 6 paper pad.  The sentiment is from the Card Ministry Basic stamp set.

Please be sure to check out the Inspired Stamps blog for more card ideas using this Hymn Girl line of stamps and be sure to visit the new Etsy shop to purchase these sets and many others.  All US orders of 25.00 or more have free shipping with code 25freeshipping.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello everyone.
I hope you are all having a great week.  I must admit I am feeling a bit under the weather.  Today's assignment for the DT is a "love" card.  I tried lots of different ideas, but I was just did not like how things were turning out, so finally due to my not feeling the best and my frustration I did a literal interpretation of this assignment.  I used the Typewriter text lowercase. I just stamped each letter and punched with a .75 inch square and then used Spellbinder dies (smallest) to do scallop square.  I added a button and some Coats metallic thread for the "o".  I embossed a piece of red cardstock with a Sizzix embossing folder.

Please be sure to check the Inspired Stamps blog for more "love" cards from the rest of the talented DT and be sure to check tomorrow for new release stamps remember you can buy Inspired Stamps at the new Etsy location.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
P.S. The surgeon was very pleased with the progress my daughter is making but she must wait until the end of February to resume all normal activity.  This is to make sure that her bones have completely fused and she won't have any complications.  We have come this far so we will continue to wait.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone.  Inspired Stamps DT is back.  I have been gone longer due to my daughter's back surgery.  The Lord is good and she had a very good surgery and her recovery has gone quite well. We go back to the surgeon today to see how she is progressing and if she can be released for normal activity.  It was a scary thing but the Lord was with her and the rest of the family through it all.  It is this experience that inspired my choice of scripture for today's card.  What ever we might be going through we need to remember that God is always for us, if we are His children.

I made an easel card with the BoBunny Madeline Collection papers and the Romans 8:31 individual scripture stamp.  I punched out flowers from the same papers and leaves from some green textured cardstock.
Remember that Inspired Stamps has a new online location and all orders of $25.00 or more have free shipping in the US. Please visit the Etsy store to see all the scripture stamps available.  Make sure to visit the Inspired Stamps blog for more inspiration, with lots of card ideas and on new stamp releases every Friday.
Have a great day.