Covered Bridge

I don't do Vintage cards well, but sometime a person just has to do it anyway.

International Art & Soul Challenge

April 30 - May 13

Theme: Vintage

I hope you'll participate!

Here's my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Images: Cornish Heritage Farm Gates & Bridges stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Colored Pencils

Papers: Recollections (Black and White) & SU (Cherry Cobbler) CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Cloud 9 Ribbon and Brads from an unknown vendor
SaveSave

Cat Food

NOTE: This is my second blog post of the day. The one following it is about a Challenge Blog that is hosted by Frantic Stamper today and as a Frantic Stamper DT member, I got to be a Guest Designer. So keep scrolling... or go HERE.

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Do you like humorous cards? I do! I don't make them very often, because quite honestly, I simply don't have many humorous stamps in my stash. But... today there is a new challenge at Sweet Stampin' and it's HUMOR cards... so here you go...

I hope you'll participate in the Sweet Stampin' Challenge!

April 29 - May 5

Theme: Humor

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Penny Black A Little Bird stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections CS and Heidi Grace Designs Birds DP

Embellishment: Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor

Cupcakes Inspire Me

I have exciting news today! Fran (owner of Frantic Stampers) is the sponsor of the Cupcakes Inspiration Challenge that starts today! And as a DT member for Frantic Stampers, that means I get to be one of the Guest Designers for the challenge at Cupcakes Inspiration.

Look at the fun inspiration we have for the challenge:

Aren't those colors luscious... and if that isn't enough inspiration, go with sweet cupcakes, or flowers, or anything else you see in this photo/color combination. I hope you'll participate!

Here's the card I created:

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies used on this card:

Aloha Hibiscus #FRA-DIE-09933

Lovely Loop Edger #FRA-DIE-10007

These dies are really amazing - and so versatile. AND affordable, too. I hope you'll pop over to the Frantic Stamper store and see the products there!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Frantic Stamper Dies: Aloha Hibiscus #FRA-DIE-09933 and Lovely Loop Edger #FRA-DIE-10007

Papers: Stampin' UP! Card Stock and AMuse Studio Designer Paper

Embellishment: Ribbon from an unknown vendor

Love & Kindness

It's the 4th Friday of the month, which means it's an ABAC Challenge at PDE Linky Party... so I did Bible Journaling.

You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. 

My life was preserved by your care.

Job 10:12

I hope you'll participate, too!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Image: Stampin' UP! Love Is Kind stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers and Letter Stamps from SU, too
Papers: Recollections CS and DP from my scrap file
Embellishment: Target Washsi Tape

Love One Another

I have another Bible Journaling entry to show you this afternoon.

This is the message you have heard from he beginning: 

We should love one another.

I John 3:11

It's actually pretty easy to love some people - maybe even most of the people we encounter are lovable. But then... yes... THEN. There are a few that just seem to get under our skin, making it difficult to live out this verse. But God doesn't tell us to love some of the people. He says we should love one another... and when He says that (several places in the Bible) I'm pretty sure He means we should LUV ALL.











Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Image: Stamping Bella APTEE tude stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copics and a Gel Pen

Papers: from my scrap file

Letters: Illustrated Faith

Washi Tape: from an unknown vendor

Frantic Stamper You Did It

Today I have a card that I made with another die from the Dads and Grads Release at Frantic Stamper - You Did It (#FRA-DIE-10162). This is such a bold and beautiful sentiment to make it pop a bit, I actually cut it twice, once with a light colored card stock and then again with a dark color that I offset just a wee bit underneath the light colored piece to give it a shadow effect.

I also used another die that I received as part of my package from Frantic Stamper - I love being on the design team! It's called Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars (#FRA-DIE-09890).

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies

Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars

#FRA-DIE-10162

and

You Did It

#FRA-DIE-10162

I'd never used reverse cut dies like these before, and found it was a bit of a learning curve for me so I had a couple of other attempts with the Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars die that I thought I'd go ahead and show you, too.

Card #1

For the inside, I made a stencil with the die and filled in with just the stars...

Card #2

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Frantic Stamper Dies: Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars #FRA-DIE-09890 and You Did It #FRA-DIE-10162

Card Stock: Recollections Black, Staples Ivory, and Stampin' UP! Buckaroo Blue and Summer Sun

Embellishments: Target Baker's Twine and a Charm from an unknown vendor

Frantic Stamper Die: Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars #FRA-DIE-09890

Papers: Stampin' UP! Brilliant Blue and Dusty Durango Card Stock and DP from my scrap file

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Embellishments: Hobby Lobby Rhinestone Stars, Michael's Rhinestones, and Stampin' UP! Ribbon

Frantic Stamper Die: Reverse Cut Stitched Country Stars #FRA-DIE-09890

Card Stock: Stampin' UP! Daffodil Delight and Dapper Denim

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Christmas Stars

Sentiment: from an unknown vendor (stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink)

Embellishments: Simple Stories Say Cheese II Enamel Dots and Ribbon from an unknown vendor

Mid-Week Joy Report

I have so much to be joyful about this week. It's been a week of creativity (I made 12 cards and did 7 Bible Journaling pages, too). We three - my husband, son and I - went on a little road trip to Sikeston Missouri to eat at Lambert's (the Home of Throwed Rolls), which is one of our favorite restaurants.

And... look at what my husband planted in the garden:

These purple potatoes are pretty special, because our daughter ordered them and had them sent here for her dad to plant. That means she plans to be here this summer to help enjoy eating them! YAY! For those of you who might not know this, our daughter lives in the bush of Alaska where she teaches Special Education. So visits from her are few and far between.

It has been a GREAT week!

* * * * *

For this week's 50 Truths Challenge, I turned to the 17th chapter/excerpt of the book 50 Truths Worth Knowing for inspiration in making a card.

If You Jump, the Net Just Might Appear

When Mariska was in college she had the opportunity to travel briefly in Italy, Germany and France. While there she encountered a spry young woman - frizzy pigtails, well-worn clothing - who was riding the rails without a ticket. She had been on the road for 18 months and had no plan to return to the real life anytime soon.

Mariska could never see herself falsifying information so that she could travel for free, but at the same time, her desire for travel increased as she heard the stories the other young woman shared of her travels.

After returning home from this short time in Europe, life moved on for Mariska. Then, when she was nearing 30, she remembered the time in Europe and longed to travel. She was approaching marriage and life ahead looked good, but there was a longing for something more.

So she talked to her fiancé and they made the decision to do whatever they needed to do to fulfill this longing. One family member offered them plane tickets. Others gave them needed gear. Some had guidebooks and tips of places to stay economically. In addition to the generous gifts of others, Mariska and her fiancé resolved they would do anything to make this trip happen - empty their savings, sip the big wedding, sell their possessions.... and they would gladly do it all without looking back.

They did.

They spent a year traveling the world and quenching their thirst. When they returned home, they were satisfied; glad they'd invested the time and the money to create memories for a lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Quote: Sweet 'n Sassy Across the Miles stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black ink

Papers: Recollections CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Recollections Brads

The Experiment Worked

On April 4, my blog post was titled "A Myth and an Experiment". I spoke about how it apparently is a myth that it takes 21 days to develop a habit... but that I was going to run an experiment and see the outcome. The experiment is what I called my personal 21-Day Bible Journaling Challenge. I was to Bible Journal every day for 21 days... as a means of trying to be more active in Bible Journaling.

The challenge officials ended on April 24 - that was yesterday. I celebrated - okay, not much of a celebration, but I was excited to say I'd succeeded in Bible Journaling every day for 21 days. And I said that I'd do less Bible Journaling now, because I have trips planned and I can't Bible Journal away from home very well.

Then today came.... and something was missing from my life.

I have a conference to lead this weekend and I needed to be working on it. I did work on it. BUT something was missing. I hadn't Bible Journaled.

So I guess the experiment DID work... I developed a good habit.

And since I could (I am home and the conference plans are nearly finished), I did a simple page in my Journaling Bible...

Open up, O heavens,

and pour out your righteousness.

Let the earth open wide

so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together,

I, the Lord, created them.

Isaiah 45:8 (NLT)

Thanks for stopping by my blog!


Supplies Used

Image: Stampin' UP! You've Got This stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers (The Scripture verse was computer generated)

Papers: Recollections CS and AMuse Studio DP

Embellishment: Target Fabric Tape

Bible Journaling Day 21

NOTE: This is my second blog post of the day. Please go HERE to see my patriotic cards made with Frantic Stamper precision dies... or just keep scrolling to the next blog post.

* * * * *

I cannot believe it. This is the 21st day of my personal 21-Day Bible Journaling Challenge. I did it! I actually was able to Bible Journal every day for 21 days... and I loved doing it. It has changed my life in good ways. I've searched the scripture more, I've listened to God more, and I've had the opportunities to try different Bible Journaling techniques. Some I've enjoyed more than others. Some days I've been happy to show what I made. Other days I've only showed the end project on my blog (etc.) because I said I would. LOL!

What's next? I can honestly say I will be Bible Journaling more than I did before this personal challenge started... because it's something I want to do more of. However, I will not be Bible Journaling every day... because, like I recently told a friend, I kind of have to be at home to Bible Journal at this point... because my current skill level is hunt/search for products to use and then experiment. I wouldn't even begin to know how to take what I need with me to be able to Bible Journal away from home.

And just if you're wondering, the reason I chose these 21 days for my challenge is because I knew I didn't have any overnight trips during that time period. That being said, I will be gone for 3 days this week. And then two more trips in May. So, look for more Bible Journaling on my blog than before this challenge... but don't anticipate seeing it every day. (Oh... and I won't promise that I'll show every page I do any more... because truthfully, some of them have been a true embarrassment to me as I've shown them to you during the challenge.)

Okay... enough of that. Let me show you what I did for day 21 of the challenge...

I've always been drawn to the story of Jonah. I guess that's because I can relate to him. I, too, have a tendency to say No God, not that. Send me anywhere but there. Ask me to do something else.

I can feel Jonah's pain when God wanted to send him to those "wicked" people and I can understand his desire to say a resounding no... and go the other direction.

But... BUT... God brought a big fish into Jonah's life and he had time in that belly to really think about what he wanted from life... and he decided that being obedient to God was indeed what he wanted.

Me, too. I don't want to be Fish Bait! So I strive to say Yes to God instead of no.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Image: High Hopes Spouting Off stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections CS and DP from my scrap file

Words: Computer Generated/Printed and some colored with a AmazAPen Gel Pens

Rhinestone Water-droplets: Mark Richards

Washi Tape: from an unknown vendor

Frantic Stamper Freedom

Oh my! I love the patriotic feel of the Frantic Stamper Freedom die! It has endless possibilities! So far I've made two cards with it, but there will be more.

Card #1

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies

Freedom

FRA-DIE-09894

and

Stitched Hexagons

FRA-DIE-09830

I loved playing with the layout of the various sizes/colors of hexagons.

Card #2

Frantic Stamper Precision Die

Freedom

FRA-DIE-09894

Okay, that may not be 50 stars, but it's still a lot of Brads. The red stripes are Washi Tape.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Frantic Stamper Dies: Freedom #FRA-DIE-09894 and Stitched Hexagons #FRA-DIE-09830

Papers: From my scrap file

Embellishments: Your Next Stamp Gum Drops

Frantic Stamper Die: Freedom #FRA-DIE-09894

Card Stock: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Brilliant Blue and Real Red

Embellishments: Brads and Washi Tape from unknown vendors

Bible Journaling Day 20

NOTE: This is my second blog post of the day. To see my Woodland Adventures card for the Creative Card Chicks, go HERE or keep scrolling.

* * * * *

This is my Bible Journaling for Day 20 of my personal 

21-Day Bible Journaling Challenge:

This particular page actually journals Psalm 136 in its entirety. This particular Psalm has a refrain - every other line says "His faithful love endures forever" so I tried to reflect that in my Bible Journaling.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!


Supplies Used

Stamp: Unity Grab Bag Collection 1 stamped with Lawn Fawn Ink and Illustrated Faith stamped with Illustrated Faith Ink

Papers: Recollections CS and DP from my scrap file

Heart Punches: Various Companies

Embellishments: Sticker Strip from Stampin' UP! and Washi Tape from Illustrated Faith and an unknown vendor 

Woodland Adventures

My friend Kelly lives in Miami, a huge bustling metropolis where she literally spends hours each day commuting. But her heart is in areas filled with nature and lots of animals. Therefore as the hostess of the Creative Card Chicks group this month, she put together fun Woodland Adventures kits for us to create with.

The kit included: Stamped images on Recollections #110 CS (deer, sentiments) and #65 CS (tree/trunk) and all of the images/die cuts were from Stampendous "In the Woods" stamp set, stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black ink. DSP is from Paper Studio "Woodland Retreat" pack. Embellishments were Affray brown twill ribbon, Baker's Twine "Caribbean," jute rope by Paper Studio, and paper flowers from Craft Smart.

THANK YOU for a fun theme and fabulous kit, Kelly!

Here's my card:

Are you curious about what item is on my card that Kelly sent, but wasn't in the actual kit? It's the green paper. That's actually a piece of the envelope that she mailed the kit in.

I used  a little bit of the green envelope inside my card, too:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the items in Kelly's kit, I used some Stampin' UP! Card Stock (Early Espresso and Grey)