Thursday, February 18, 2010

Footprints in the Sand

Feel free to click on the image to enlarge it and be able to read this inspirational poem!

Hello everyone!  I hope your week is going well!  I was excited to be able to play in several challenges with this card!  I used the Midnight Madness Sketch #41, and  Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping in Time#3 , as well as Corrosive Challenge (sew it up), Sophisticat (sewing), OCC (something old from your stash) and this week's Cuttlebug Challenge (loads of sewing).
Betty challenged us to use ODBD Footprints in the Sand set and the challenge was to find a way to use buttons with it.  I started out with the Midnight Madness Sketch reversed, using elements of the Footprints background stamp for the panels on either side of the sentiment. I stamped them with River Rock onto Papertrey Vintage Cream  CS, and then sponged heavily with T Holtz Scattered Straw, Color Box Creamy Brown Chalk Ink, and True Thyme.  I stamped the poem with True Thyme and tore my edges, sponging lightly around the edges.  I tried to use regular buttons as the sketch and Betty's challenge both called for, and they just did not look right, so I made buttons out of shells and sewed them on with hemp twine.  My base is True Thyme,( the something old in my stash), then a unknown yellow marbled cs, also old from my stash.  I added fancy birds feet stitching up the two sides as well as I used my Cuttlebug edge ef in the upper left and lower right corners.  Inside I stamped lightly the background stamp and left room for writing my message.  I struggled with finding buttons for this, but once I poked holes in my shells and used the shell beads I had in my stash... I finally felt like it flowed.

Thanks for looking.... and be blessed as you read the words of this wonderful poem.  Remember, He loves you and will carry you through the difficult times... giving you just what you need when you need it if you will allow Him to!  Be blessed by that knowledge!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Grace!

What a wonderful look you attained with all of those very different colors put together! I am used to seeing brights or metallics from you lately. This is a stunning more subdued look! I had to take a very close look at the background. I thought you had painted the right hand panel on slate!

Your shells, and the piece that the poem is on is just amazing! Living in FL, I am partial to shells! :)

You have created another incredible piece of art, dear Grace. I love it. I thank God for the wonderful gifts of art and being such an honest people person. It is so evident here, in
your blog!

He IS Able,
Traci S.

Moshie said...

What a beautiful card! Love everything about it!!! It is such an inspirational piece of art!!! One of my favorite "stories" that I live by! Thanks for joining the Sophisti-cats Challenge this week. hugs, Diana

Jeni C Slack (^0^) said...

Grace, Your poem card, with those shells you tied are amazing, it brings such peace and calm. So wonderful! xox ~Jeni & MMSC DT

Leigh said...

This is so beautiful. The lovely muted tones of the dp add to the poem and the touches of shells and buttons a just right.

Merilee Lane, Where Life is But a Dream said...

This card is absolutely beautiful. Every detail was perfectly designed to go hand-in-hand with your verse. I just love it! :o)

Betty Wright said...

Stunning, Grace! Glad you got your set! This is one of my favorite poems! Beautiful edging and sewing detailing! Gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing Stamping In Time!

gina g said...

Gorgeous card love the verse, fab colour and stitching.Thanks for joining the Sophisticats Challenge this week. luv gina xx

Lovely Linda said...

Hi Grace, this is just perfect - I love it that you have used that gorgeous ODBD image for the MMSC! Love your neutral tones and the sponging, it works perfectly with this card. There is such a great feel to it Grace - beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week, it is always a pleasure seeing your cards and we look forward to having you play along next week! {{{hugs}}}
Linda MMSC Design Team

Karen W said...

This is just stunning. I love how soft this card looks and yet it's so detailed and dramatic. Just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oh Wow!!!!!Your card is `beautiful`love the perfect details!!! the verse is just the best:):):)
Thanks for joining us at the cuttlebug challenge
terrie
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is stunning Grace!! I just love your layout with all the shells and your background. Incredible design my friend!!
hugs,
Chris

Unknown said...

One of my favourite verses Grace, great work, many thanks for joining us at Sophisticats this week, Hugs Avril xxx

Kelley said...

Beautiful!! Love the paper you created, so pretty! Those shell buttons are awesome!

Carol Hurlock said...

Grace...you have kicked "elegance" up a notch with this stellar design. The shells are unique and intriguing as embellishments and compliment the theme of your card to the max. Simply sensational. Thanks for playing along with us at Midnight Madness this week. We value your friendship and being a part of our family!

Bear Hugs,
Carol :o}
Midnight Madness Design Team

Priscilla said...

WOW Grace....you are always coming up with some wonderful cards..how do you maintain that standard..Your lighting on this card is amazing and it really shows it off well. Love your shells and buttons..so clever and sooo beautiful too :) Thank you so much for joining in the fun this week at the Midnight Madness sketch challenge blog. I wanted to just let you know that the MMSC42 Sneak Peek has been posted. It may look intimidating, but I hope you give it a go and just have fun with it. I will be posting the CAS sketch on Tuesday. I can’t wait to see what you come up with :)
Priscilla
MMSC Hostess

Unknown said...

This card is stunning! I love Footprints in the Sand! You really did this challenge in a delightful way! Love it!
Blessings,
Kim xXx

Jean McKenzie said...

Beautiful Grace!! I love this inspirational verse and have the cross stitch design to make it up but have never got to it. The stitching, shells, paper, colouring and embossing make this into a gorgeous card.

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The Mama Monkey said...

Beautiful card Grace! I love the touch of the seashells! And this happens to be one of my favorite verses ever.

Unknown said...

Lovely card Grace and a beautiful phrase
Thanks for joining us at Sophisti-cats
Hugs
Tasha
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

peggysue said...

What a cool use for those shells. You are becoming quite talented at finding challenges to fit into . . . that's great, more people get to see your artwork.

Denise @ kc242 said...

Grace this is such a wonderful card. Lovely sentiment, fantastic dp and those embellishments are spot on perfect! It is always so nice to see what lovely creations that you come up with! Thanks for playing along with us again this week!
Denise
Midnight Madness DT

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ChristineCreations said...

Oh Grace, I love the warmth you've achieved! And those shell buttons are just perfect, what a beautiful design!

Kathy Jones said...

WOW Grace - this is amazing!!! Love the soft, serene colours and the awesome use of embellishments for the corner decoration!!!

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Gloria Westerman said...

Oh my, Grace....this is gorgeous....I love it.....

Dell said...

So pretty Grace! I love the earthy tones to this card and I like the way you framed the sentiment.

Shantaie said...

beautiful card, I really like the stitching just running down the sides of your panel.

Thanks for stitching along with us at cuttlebug challenge blog~ Shantaie

Silke Ledlow said...

Graqce - your card is BEAUTIFUL!!! I always love this Set...so comforting!!! You designed it perfectly with the seashells!!! Hugs ~S~

Stephanie said...

buttons from shells - now that's just genius!! I love it :)

Riet said...

Beautiful card Grace,i love your papers and colours.

Zo Mooi Grace.

Hugs Riet.xx