Try Something New Tuesday

Tuesdays are all about trying something new. Today's card is definitely new - a new technique... and a new Design Team. You may have noticed that in my right side bar... but this is the first time I get to actually show you anything I've made for the Frantic Stamper Inc. design team. Let me tell you, I was so excited when I found out I'd made the team... as a full-time member, which mens it's for the whole year. YAY!

And part of the excitement is getting a package in the mail with lots of dies... lots and lots of dies... to work with. WOW! The February release is called Feminine Style, and the dies are just exquisite.

I'll be showing you the cards I've made so far with this release on the four Mondays in February, but today I'm going to start it off by showing you this card...

Wondering what "new" thing I tried? Well, actually, I'm thinking it's two things. First, this is the first time that I've used a die as the focal part of my card... no stamping. at. all. That's quite a switch for me.

The other "new" thing I did... on the larger bloom, I not only used the die-cut, but I also used all of the little pieces inside (in pink). It was like a puzzle, let me tell you... but I managed to find the right places and glued all those little pieces into the flower.

The designer paper I chose to use just seemed to fit perfectly... it almost looks like the swirls are the stems, etc.

The little blossom is part of the February Feminine Style release, too... and the really good news is, you get both dies in one set - Lacey Blooms Two. You can find it HERE in the Frantic Stamper store.

For the inside of my card I added another one of the die-cuts...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Dies: Frantic Stamper Lacey Blooms Two
Cardstock: Recollections Red, Stampin' UP! Blushing Bride, and Staples Ivory
Designer Paper: Cloud 9 Designs Luster Raspberry Ripple
Embellishment: Your Next Stamps Gum Drops

Candy Kisses

Barb started a new group on SCS this year. It's called Challenge Your Stash. CYS group members are to use stuff they already have to create a card/project based on the theme the month's hostess selects. We alternate hostesses, so everyone will get a chance to choose a theme. It's going to be a lot of fun to see what each person does with her own stuff and a unique theme on the 28th of each month.

This month, to kick things off, Barb is the hostess. She selected a color challenge - Black, White and Silver.

What do you think of when you think of silver? Of course, I think of Hershey's chocolate kisses. ;)

Stampin' UP! For the Love of Chocolate (2002)

I used silver embossing powder on the kiss and fussy cut it, layering it on top of the one stamped in black ink. I did that because I didn't want the little strip of paper sticking out of the kiss to be silver and I couldn't figure out any other way to do it.

On the inside of the card, I stamped (black ink) another chocolate kiss...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' UP! For the Love of Chocolate
Ink: Gina K Onyx Black and VersaMark
Embossing Powder: Stampin' UP! Sterling Silver
Cardstock: Recollections Black and 110# White and Stampin' UP! Metallic Silver
Designer Paper: Recollections Black and White Paper Pad
Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones

Joy

Here's a sneak peek at the Bible Journaling page I made for the PDE Linky Party ABAC Challenge...

PDE Linky Party Challenge

January 27 - February 2

Theme: Anything But a Card

I hope you'll participate!

I wanted to make a Bible Journaling page based on my word of the year and my sermon notes from January 1st... but my Inspire Bible had illustrations in the margins in Philippians, where the sermon was based. Therefore I made a page to insert into my Bible at that spot. (I added it by using a strip of Washi tape in the gutter of the Bible.)

Because it was an inserted page, the backside was blank. I added a wee bit of stuff to it, too...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supply List

Image: Illustrated Faith Blessings and Lessons stamp set stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink
Die: Cat's Pajamas Joy cut with Recollections Cardstock
Designer Papers: from my scrap file

Mid-Week Joy Report

It's been a great week! I know many of you have had your Christmas decorations put away for a few weeks now - or at least for many days. Well... we had company until the first week of January and then I immediately went on two out-of-state trips.... so ours were still up. But this week... yes... finally... I took all the Christmas trees, nativity sets, village, etc down and boxed it up for another year. Our home breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, so did I.

I also managed to make 10 cards.... some of them for a new design team that I'm on... Frantic Stamper. You'll be seeing those cards soon... I promise.

And.... BIG news! Our daughter, who teaches in the bush of Alaska found out she's getting tenure this year. Woo Hoo! Congratulations Brittney!

Yes, my heart is overflowing with joy! But the truth is... as we discussed in Bible Study this Sunday, joy is something from within. It's not based on our circumstances. That is happiness. So no matter what is happening in my life, I can choose to have joy! And I do!

* * * * *

This is my fourth week to create a card for My 50 Truths Challenge. If you don't know what I've talking about, you can read more about it HERE.

In this week's article/story from the 50 Truths Worth Knowing book Katie tells about a wooden frame the hung in the stairwell of her parents' home. in that frame was an old black and white photograph of her grandmother who served as a nurse during World War II. The photo is priceless, of course, but the story focuses instead on the yellowed paper that was tucked into the picture frame. You see, that paper is a letter from her grandmother's father... the very last letter she would receive before his death. Her grandmother had kept that letter for over 50 years, until her own death and then it was passed on to her parents, where it hung on that wall in the stairwell.

Katie reminds us that mail is special. A letter nestled in amongst bills and mail order catalogs is something we treasure. We hold it and read it and reread it. We find a special place to keep it. It is a person's way of giving time to those he/she loves. Letters are indeed special.

Unfortunately, sending letters has become somewhat a lost art. It's just too easy to send an email, or even easier, a text message.

Fifty years from now will there be any special letters that are turning yellow and found tucked into a picture frame? Let's you and I do our part to ensure that there are.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Images: Taylored Expressions S.W.A.K. stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White Cardstock and AMuse Studio Polka Dot and Gingham Checked Designer Papers
Embellishment: Michael's Ribbon

Try Something New with Gel Pens

In keeping with my goal to try something new each week, I've made this card...

Can you guess what I tried that's new?

I colored the image entirely with gel pens. I've never done that before. And I kind of like it. It's so sparkly!

The inside is way too simple, but it seemed fitting for this CAS card...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: KLM Designs Sunflower stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink and colored with AmazaPens (Glitter Gel Pens) that were a Christmas gift from my husband
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White Cardstock and AMuse Studio Polka Dots Designer Paper
Embellishments: Simple Stories Say Cheese II Enamel Dots

Isaiah 61:3

You might have noticed my January 1st post, in which I revealed my word of the year - JOY! My friend Kelly (who also chooses a word of the year each year) noticed... and she gifted me with an amazing stamp, perfect for my word of the year. THANK YOU, Kelly! I love the stamp. You made my day!!!

Give unto them

Beauty for ashes,

the oil of JOY

for mourning, a garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness.

- Isaiah 61:3

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Scripture Stamp: Verve stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink
Papers: Recollections Brown and Staples Ivory Cardstock, and scraps of DP from my scrap file
Embellishments (all from unknown vendors): Ribbon, Baker's Twine, Star Brads, and Star Charm 

Gerda Steiner January 2017

The image for this month's Gerda Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge is an adorable pair of hedgehogs... nose to nose. The are definitely cute - and did I mention, fun to color???

Gerda Steiner Designs Hedgehog Smooches

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supply List

Image: Gerda Steiner Designs Hedgehog Smooches colored with Copic Markers and a Gel Pen
Papers: Recollections Cardstock (Brown and Red) and scraps of DP from my scrap file
Embellishment: Seam Binding from an unknown vendor

Woman of Strength

I am the January hostess for the Card Making Chicks group. I sent out bright yellow envelopes with a few items in them and these instructions: I chose the stamp set I did because, being the beginning of a new year, many of us have chosen a theme word for the year, set some annual goals, or even made some New Year Resolutions. I think this image is a bit pensive, as if she is reflecting on the year ahead and what she hopes to accomplish. And understandably, I think the sentiments are appropriate, too.

Image/Sentiments
Unity Dream of Being - the image stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and the Sentiments with Gina K Onyx Black ink

Cardstock
Recollections Kraft and 110# White

Designer Paper
Canvas Corp Coffee Stamps on Kraft
Paper Pizazz Yummy Coffee Beans
Recollections Brick

Embellishments
A Muse Studio Baker's Twine and Ribbon
Mug Brad (from an unknown vendor)

I also encouraged the Chickies to use any of their own embellishments if they wanted to.

Here is my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing I used in addition to my kit was cardstock (Recollections Black, Kraft, and White).

Monstrosity Tag

PDE Linky Party has a new challenge - TAGS!

January 20 - 26

I hope you'll participate!

I don't do tags, but being on the design team makes me stretch beyond my normal and do tags on the third Friday of every month. That being said, I usually incorporate the tag into either a card or a Bible journaling page or something.... because I really don't do tags. LOL!

This week, I created a pocket card to incorporate my tag into... and added a $20 bill for a nearly perfect birthday card.

Here's the inside of my card:

Oh, and did I mention... this is a new fold for me... so I've tried something new with this card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiments: Whipper Snapper Monstrosity and Monster Birthday and Stampin' UP! Happy Birthday stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and Red and scraps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Your Next Stamp Gum Drops and Brads, Ribbons, and Twine from unknown vendors

Storms of Life

Vickie was the hostess of the Mystery Image Swap group on SCS and she sent us a fun (springtime image) that was a breath of fresh air to create with when it was so cold outside. THANK YOU Vickie!

Here's my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' UP! And Everything Nice Stamp Set stamped (by Vickie) ON Crafters Companion Ultra Smooth White 110# White Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink - I colored it with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Navy and Stampin' UP! Soft Sky Cardstock and DP from the DCWV Year Round Paper Pad
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Grosgrain Ribbon and Brads from an unknown vendor

Mid Week Joy Report

This has been a week of a myriad of activities/happenings, none of them related to crafting. LOL! Last Friday I left with a group of friends to head south.... one would think warmer weather, right? NOPE! We were driving into an ice storm but we wouldn't let that stop us as we were on our way to the installation service of a new national Executive Director/Treasurer and to the January Board Meeting. The events were delayed - and scrunched to make time to work everything of importance into the schedule. But WOW! What an event! We had a great time... and thankfully, we had safe travels, too!

I was home on Tuesday night - threw a load of laundry into the washing machine so I'd be ready to go again soon. Wednesday was spent at the car dealership - I won't bore you with all the details, but suffice it to say we owned one of those VW diesels and now we don't.

Thursday morning - before dawn - I was on my way to catch a flight to Texas for a training event. It, too was a great event! And I learned a lot. This year's VBS material is such fun - we are going to enjoy being Galactic Starveyors!

I was supposed to start taking down our Christmas decorations and working on some Design Team assignments as soon as I got home, but instead I've been mostly in bed... stupid allergies! But this will pass, and in the meantime, I'm catching up on some ZZZZzzzzz's.

All in all, it's been a pretty good week. (Well, except for the fact I haven't colored a bit, nor made a single card. I'm going into withdrawals.)

* * * * *

In keeping with my personal challenge to use the book 50 Truths Worth Knowing to jump-start a card idea continues. (Fortunately I had the card made way before today!) Today I'm in the third article/chapter.

Brian landed what he thought was a fantastic job. It allowed his wife to be a stay-at-home mom to their young son. But his hours were long and his energy level depleted when he finally arrived at home. He left as his son was eating breakfast in the morning and returned home after he'd gone to bed at night. At the end on the first year at this job, the owner decided to pull the funding and Brian (as well as all of his co-workers) found himself unemployed virtually overnight.

Obviously this was a stressful time for Brian. But he also discovered the he was enjoying time with his son and with his wife. He was no longer consumed with work, but instead saw his son take his first steps, heard him saying "mommy" and "daddy" and had opportunities to build blocks with him. He began taking his son to a once-a-week Play Group, where he was the only "regular" dad there. He learned the value of those around him... and discovered that "some things are just more important than work."

To depict this story I chose to use a stamp set that has never seen ink before. The little boy and great sentiment  just seemed to fit.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Red Rubber Designs Jackson & Amelia stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Recollections 110# White cardstock and colored with Copic markers
Papers: Recollections cardstock and DP scraps from my scrap file
Embellishment: Grosgrain Ribbon from an unknown vendor

Falliday Win!

Split coast Stampers had a Falliday event last year... you may have seen the cards/projects on my blog as I participated. 30 cards... in addition to some special projects in a short period of time. Those who completed the challenge attained Yeti status. YAY! I'm a Yeti.

Well... there were also some amazing prizes given randomly... and I won one of them! A $50 gift certificate from The Cat's Pajamas. That was definitely some fun shopping!!!

Here's a card I made with one of the stamp sets I got with my prize money...

featuring The Cat's Pajama's "Space Cadet" stamp set

Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Happy stamping!

Sentiment: The Cat's Pajama's Space Cadet stamped with Gina K Black Onyx ink
Papers: Recollections cardstock and scraps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Paper Studio Grosgrain Ribbon and Star Brads from an unknown vendor

I Made a Wish

Today is the first Duel of 2017... Dueling Darling style. Tami (Divas) and Terry L (Dazzlers) are the hostesses this month. They chose a rather unique theme, too.... because it's actually no theme at all. The wanted to make it easy for us to get our cards completed so we could "get the year started off right." They chose a Valentine image so we'd be able to use our cards in the near future. THANK YOU Tami and Terry! You two rock!!!

Terry sent an adorable kit to the Dazzlers. A cute image, great sentiment, lovely papers, and lots of embellishments to choose from. Terry, you made it fun to create a card for this duel!

Items in Terry's Kit

Image and Sentiment: Heartily Yours - GinaK Designs

Paper: Months Stack (hearts) - DCWV, Blush Red - Core'dinations, Black - The Paper Studio

Embellishments: Red Gems, White pearls - The Paper Studio, White paper dots - Candi Dots, White Ribbon - Michaels

Be sure to head over to the other Dueling Darling blogs to see what they made (links to the Dazzlers and the Divas are in my left sidebar).

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing I used other than the things in Terry's kit was some card stock (Recollections Black and Red). I colored the image with Copic markers.

My Super Hero

I have been part of a group on SCS called Baker's Dozen. Each round (I'm in my third) we have a partner. We make/mail a card to our partner each week for thirteen weeks. During my last round I was partnered with Dawn. She was amazing! Such a talented lady. One of the things I always admired was her use of Washi tape. She even used a strip of it on the envelopes of the cards she sent.

One card she sent me... I carefully removed the piece of Washi from the envelope because I had an idea for its use. Here it is...

Super Heros Washi Tape

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: Sugar Pea Designs "My Hero" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black on Recollections 110# White Cardstock and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Only Orange Cardstock and DP from my scrap file
Embellishments: Brads and Washi Tape from unknown vendors

Doggone Cute

There's something new at PDE Linky Party this year. In the past the 2nd Friday challenge was CARDS, but this year we've added to the them for 2nd Fridays: Cards or Project Life Cards. Our hope is that this will encourage more participation plus give us a little flexibility in what we choose to create.

January 13 - 19

I hope you'll participate!

I made a card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supply List

Images/Sentiment: Dare 2B Artzy Puppy Talk (includes die) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Recollections 110# White Cardstock and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Cajun Craze Cardstock and DP from the Paper Studio Spoiled Rotten Paper Pad
Embellishment: Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor