A sneak peek and Loving Memories

Hello my friends!  I'm so sorry I have not been posting very often, but summer has brought many opportunities to be busy in other ways, and my blog has had to take a rest for a bit.  However... I did want to give you a quick sneak peek of what's coming your way July 1 from Our Daily Bread designs!

This card is made with a new set called Loving Memories.  I love the sentiments in this set, and the pretty Calla Lilies are perfect to go along with these sympathy sentiments.  Of course, sympathy cards are our most difficult cards to make, but when we do.... Our Daily Bread designs has the tools you need to do it well!  This is timely for me as well as I need a sympathy card for a dear friend.


Card Supplies:
Stamps: ODBD Loving Memories
Ink: Memento
Paper: Papertrey cs, Prima Sun Kiss dp
Accessories: Copics, MS Ribbon, Want 2 Scrap pearls, Sizzix EF, Cheery Lynn Victorian Romance Flourish, Stick Pin (gift from a friend), sewing machine, dimensionals, copics

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Crafty Creations -  Embellish It Use 3 Different Embellishments (ribbon, pearls, stick pin), Little Red Wagon -  Sentiment as main focus, Paper Shelter Challenge -  punches/dies, Stampavie and More - lots of flowers, WordArt Wednesdays - use an encouraging uplifting sentiment or the free digi verse on site, Party Time Tuesdays -  Anything Goes, Craft Your Passion - Things with Wings Lollipop Crafts - Flowers in Bloom Paper Playtime - Anything Goes with Sentiment, Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - Monochrome

Just so you know.... sympathy sets are only a couple of several sets coming July 1!  You won't want to miss this release!  The bread sticks are working hard on our blog hop projects for you... we hope to see you then... July 1, 8:00am EDT!

Before I let you go, I want to let you know you still have time to get in on the TWO big sales going on now at Our Daily Bread Designs!  Check them out HERE and HERE.... but don't wait long!  Time is almost up!

See you on the first!!!

For The Love of Good Steward Hop!

 

 Welcome to Our Daily Bread Design's Alumni Team's bi-monthly For the Love Blog Hop. This week the Alumni team along with some of the ODBD designers are featuring a hop For the Love of ODBD Good Steward sets! Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, check the ODBD blog for full list of links. One of the posts is a hop hot spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to win a $15 ODBD store gift certificate. All you have to do is hop along and see all the creations and leave a little love! You have until Wednesday, July 4th at 6 pm EDT. Enjoy all the awesome inspiration using For the Love of ODBD Good Steward sets!  If you got here from Sabrina's Scrumptious Blog,  you are in the right place!  If not, you might want to start at the ODBD Blog so you don't miss any chances to win!

Now, here's my card:

For my sample I used Old Flag Background and I Pledge Allegiance.

 

 

I stamped the flag background with Archival on watercolor paper, and then water colored with Tim Holtz Markers.  Then I distressed the edges and sponged Distress Ink over the background (Antique Linen and Walnut Stain) on the edges.  I stamped the Pledge of Allegiance with Stazon on vellum, tore the vertical edges, and then sponged with Stazon inks (Mustard) all over the panel, and Timber Brown on the edges.  The base is SU! Night of Navy, and the red is a scrap which I ran through the CB with the CB Stars embossing folder, and again I distressed and inked the edges.  I added four grommets and twine to hold the vellum to the flag background, and the flag  is popped up on dimensionals.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Now from here, hop to Angie's Awesome Blog!

Pics of our Father's Day getaway!

Hi friends!  I hope y'all had a great weekend! I don't have a card to share, because we were away.  So... I thought I'd share a few pics of what I gave my hubby for Father's Day.... a little getaway to Pigeon Forge, TN!  I just felt like he needed a restful weekend and decided kind of last minute to make all the arrangements for a quick getaway.  So this is where we stayed...

This was our cabin.  Not too shabby, huh?  It was really special and a very comfy home to stay in!

Here is a peek at the view we had, and although the mountains are "smoky" here, you can get the incredible feel of beauty that we enjoyed out every window!  Oh, and yes, that is a hot tub on the deck!  Since I was having a major fibro-flare, THAT felt awesome every day!!!

Since this was a relaxing getaway... we mainly just enjoyed driving through the park and taking pictures of scenery, and a few other fun things we saw.  I can't show them all to you now.... but here's just a little peek...

I just love cool mountain streams and waterfalls, so this particular day, I was taking pictures of them.  When the rest of the area feels hot and humid... somehow when you step into the forest the temps drop about 10 degrees and you feel like you could stay there forever!

Then... we always enjoy looking at the wildlife!  Sorry I don't have the best camera.... but this was what my little Sony could do taken from the window of the moving car!  

We rode several park loops looking for bear.  We actually saw four, but this guy was the closest so it was the best photo I could get.  This one was on the move!  The other three we saw were together... a mom and two cubs.  So cute!  However I do think they are much cuter when I'm safely in my car, not hiking on a trail! LOL!

So.... there's just a little look at my hubby's Father's Day trip!  On our way home, we took the back roads through the mountains, and had to stop for "traffic".   This just struck my funny bone.  LOL!

Well that's it for today!  I am working on something for later this week... so I hope to see you then!  Thanks for stopping by!

Pink & White Challenge - Happy Birthday!

 Hello my blogging friends!  Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!  I have something very different than my usual style to share today.  I created this card for Joan's Gardens Challenge, which was to use pink and white, an embossing folder, leaves as accent,  and to use a die to cut an opening in the front of your card.  This is what I came up with.

 I used some new toys, and a favorite set from Our Daily Bread designs, Birthday Blessings.  My base is Papertrey card stock, and I used a Memory Box Small Madison Window to cut my window frame out, cutting it twice so I could pop up a second frame on TINY pop dots.  Not sure if you can see them but here's a close up of the frame. I also used a Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes folder for my front, and punched the pink boughs from scraps of pink card stock using a Martha Stewart bough punch.  I added a tiny sheer dotted bow and left it very CAS.

For the inside I used Memory Box dies: Nestled Bird,  and Twigs & Berries.  I also punched the tiny flowers with a CARL punch.  The fence is an Our Daily Bread designs custom die.  I stamped the sentiment from the Birthday Blessings set with Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I added a little sponging and some tiny pearls and called it done.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:
 Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes, Creative Stamp Friends -Birthday, Lexi's Creations -  Happy Birthday, Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Simon Says Stamp and Show... - Anything Goes,  The Crazy Challenge -  Recipe: Ribbon/Twine, Gems/Pearls, Dies/Punches 

  I hope you liked my super clean and simple card!  It's always fun to step out of your comfort zone for a different look, and a challenge to yourself!  As I was working hard to keep this "clean" (mostly white) it brought to mind 1 Tim 5:22
"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure".  A good thought for the day!

Blessings,
Grace

By His wounds, we are healed!

Hello my blogging friends! I hope you are all doing well!

Today I have a card to share with you that I made for the sketch challenge this week on SCS.  I used one of this month's releases at Our Daily Bread designs, Crown of Thorns.  I find this set to be soooo moving and powerful!  The Scriptures that are included in the set are wonderful, and should make all of us who know the Lord as our Savior grateful to our very core!

Really,  the verses in this set give the full plan of salvation for all who will hear!  I love the one from Luke, where Jesus while on the cross, in unbearable pain said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do".  What love!  Why is it that it's so hard for the world to accept His gift?  While we may never know the answer to that and many other questions, this side of heaven, this set does provide the tools to share that gift with others!

I used a base of Gina K Craft, and the designer paper is My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Portobello Rd.  I used a Martha Stewart bough punch which sort of reminded me of thorns, and then I stitched around the card with a "thorny" looking stitch on my sewing machine.  I added some twine and that was it.... very quick and very easy, but powerful, don't you think?  I love the long thin nature of this verse, as it would make a wonderful bookmark to tuck in when sending a card or gift to someone.

I am entering this in the following challenges:
 Challenge Up Your Life -  Inspired by a Book (Bible), Inspire Me Fridays – Always Anything Goes, Di's Digis Designs  Male inspired Creations,Word Art Wednesday - double prize week- use any Scripture or encouraging sentiment, or the freebie given on the website, Great Impressions -  Die Cuts and/or Punches


Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your visits and comments mean so much to me!  By the way... you may have noticed that my music no longer comes on when you load my page.  I have sooooo many people who write me asking where it went, as they love it so, but Playlist has stopped letting us imbed our music box any more.  Apparently there were some issues, including discussions with the record companies, which ultimately made that impossible to continue.  I have tried my best to find similar music and put it in my side bar so you may click on the play button and listen to any of the songs you select while visiting.  For those two or three who have mentioned preferring not to have to hear the music, this should please you as well, because it has to be turned on by each person who wants to hear it.  The music is all from UTube videos and some are the original artists in concert, so the sound might not be quite as perfectly mixed as the actual albums, but I hope you can still enjoy it.  If you have feedback feel free to write me or leave it in the comment section, but this was the only option I found for now.  All that said.... I hope you can still enjoy the worship music and that it blesses you while you visit!

Have a wonderful week!

Grace

Every Moment... Thank God!

 

 Hello friends!  I am back with a quick card I made for this week's Shining the Light Challenge over on the ODBD Blog!  It's a color challenge: Pink, Black or Gray, and White or Vanilla.  I chose an ivory base from Mark's Finest Papers, and designer paper from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found, Madison Ave.  I stamped the fantastic sentiment from this month's release at Our Daily Bread Designs, Thank God with Versafine directly on the dp.  I cut with Spellbinders Labels 4 small, and matted with a SB Petite Oval which I ran through the Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Textile folder, then framed that with the SB Floral Oval, also cut from dp from the same pad.  The flourish is Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish.  Everything is sponged lightly with Distress Inks.  The tiny bird die is Memory Box, and the flowers in the corner are Wild Orchid (center one) and Prima (two outter ones). 

This week's Word Art Wednesday has a wonderfully encouraging verse for free... and two chances to win!  Be sure to check out the website for all the details... and this is the verse for this week, but in a beautiful font:

A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

I am  entering this in the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday- use any Scripture or encouraging sentiment (see website for weekly free word art as well),  Party Time Tuesdays -Royal Treatment)Jewels, Bling, sparkle, & shine), Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Crafting for all Seasons - many layers,  Creative Belli -sentiment only,  Just Keep on Creating - anything goes, Tandastamps -  Something new (stamp), Truly Scrumptious - pink, Whimsy Inspiration -  things with wings

 

You Bless Me!

Hello friends!  I hope you all have been doing well!  My family went home yesterday afternoon and I should be getting my house back in order, but instead, since I have been battling a bug and have zero ambition,  I decided to play in today's color challenge over on SCS, and this week's CPS268 sketch, which I flipped on it's side.  When I saw the sketch I immediately thought of the Bicycle set, released June 1 at Our Daily Bread designs.  For the circle elements of the sketch I used Spellbinder's Sprightly Sprocketts die, as well as classic circles.  The little tag was stamped with a sentiment from Thank You Sentiments, and cut with a SU! punch.  The card base is Gina K and the designer paper is My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline.  The image was stamped with Memento Ink on Cryogen white and colored with Copics.  I then added several shades of Flower Soft to the flowers in the basket and some grassy spots as well.  The twine flower was my "attempt" to use twine in a creative way for the "dessert" option for the color challenge on SCS.   Unfortunately I didn't realize the tag had moved a bit for the photo and the "You" of the You Bless Me sentiment got hidden.  :(  Anyway.... it was a fun and quick card.

This week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ, Diane is the  hostess, and she  chose Isaiah 40:26 as her scripture.

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, and that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Her challenge is to create a card that depicts any element of heaven-angels, music, clouds, sun, stars, blue, glitter, bling, etc. I have a cloud in my blue sky... it's a puffy white one... not a storm cloud! :)

Stop on over at the SSIC blog to read Diane's devotional.  It will bless you for sure!

I am also entering this in the following challenges:
Word art Wednesday- Scripture or encouragement, Fashionista Challenge  - Simply Summer, Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Paper Pretties - Use Bling, Stamps & Fun = Creativity -  Bling Bling,  The Crazy Challenge -  Childhood Memories, The Cutie Pie Challenge - Die Cuts/Punches,   Victorine Originals - Texture (flower soft), Whoopsi Daisy   - Summer Colours

Have a great day!
hugs & blessings,
Grace

June Release Blog Hop!

 Hello friends!  Welcome to the Our Daily Bread designs June Release Blog Hop!

If you got here from  Dawn's Fabulous Blog, you are in the right place!  If not you might want to start at the Our Daily Bread designs Blog and start from there so you don't miss any chances to win free stamps!!!

All the sticks in the bread basket have been having soooo much fun with all the fantastic new sets!!!  If you have not had a chance to see the release, you can see it HERE.  This month's release is one of my all time favorite releases... I think you'll agree when you see all the inspiration on this hop!


Here are the basics of the hop:

• Hop will run from 8:00 am EDT June 1  to  8:00 pm June 2 
• Winners will be announced  on June 3 on the ODBD Blog

 The prizes this month will be done a little differently!

• There will be three prizes of $20.00 Gift Certificates to the ODBD store for stamps, hidden on three different blogs along the hop.  No one will know where they are!  The winners will be randomly chosen from the COMMENTERS on these three blogs!
• The GRAND PRIZE of the entire Bread Basket Bundle will be drawn from the comments left here on this post, from all who tell us they completed the hop and which set is their most favorite! 

Now... on to the the details of my project.

I wanted to play along in the Moxie Fab World Gingham Challenge, hence my gingham ribbon!
 
I created a gift set including a card I gave a sneak peek of (one post below), and then I altered a little wicker picnic basket I purchased at Michael's.

The basket was sponged lightly with THoltz distress inks in Scattered Straw, Frayed Burlap and Bundled Sage.  The sentiment, little picnic basket image and inside decorative element are from the Thank You Sentiments set.  I also stamped one of the pretty borders from a past release, Fleur de Lis Borders on the top of the lid.  Outside this border I sponged with Scattered Straw Distress Ink, and inside I used Bundled Sage.  The sentiment was cut with a Spellbinders Tags 5 and sponged with distress inks, then tied on to the handle of the basket with bakers twine.  The image was stamped with Memento ink, then colored with Copics and  cut out, and adhered to the center of the frame. To add a little decoration to the basket I added a Spellbinder's Lace Doily Accents border.

 On the inside of the cover is one of the pretty little decorative elements in the Thank You Sentiments set.  With some yummy strawberry candies inside, this will make a fun little gift.

Briefly, in case you didn't catch my sneak peek post, the card used the Thank You set for the image, and the Thank You Sentiments set for the sentiment.  The image was colored with copics, and the red dotted panel is actually 100% cotton fabric which I cut with a Spellbinders Lacey Rectangle die, using my Grand Calibur.  It cut like butter!  Card base is Gina K, Black mat is SU!, Designer Paper is My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Rosy.  The gingham ribbon for both projects is from Hobby Lobby.  The doily border is the Spellbinders Lacy Doily Accents set.

Now, from here hop to the sweet and talented  Angie!
Blessings,