His Love for You!

Hello my blogging friends!  Today I am sharing a tri-fold card I made using several Our Daily Bread designs sets.  The ocean scene is from the Feb. release (to be released Feb. 1), The Mighty Sea, as are the sentiments. I made a belly band from twine attached to my sentiment tag. 

On the inside, I also used ODBD's very first set, Light of the World, and also Footprints Set.  I also used the ODBD Fence Die and some hemp twine.

I used Gina K and SU! Kraft card stock, as well as Bazzill Sea Foam matting.  The card is 5" wide x 5.5" high.  I stamped all my images with Memento London Fog Ink, and then colored with my Pastels, which had long been neglected. I highlighted a few places with SU! Markers, and then  I spritzed everything with Pearl Glimmer Mist to set the chalks.  The dies I used are Spellbinders Grommet Tags, Labels Three and Labels Twelve. 

Be sure to visit the ODBD Blog on Feb. 1 to see the full release and participate in the hop, for lots of chances to WIN!  Hope to see you then!!!


I am playing along today with the Stampin Sisters in Christ, where Linda has chosen  Philippians 4:8 for the Scripture.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.." 

Be sure to stop by and read Linda's thoughts today.... you will be blessed!  I do think of  this verse so often.  It seems that when we are prone to get discouraged, upset, depressed.... often, we have to examine what we are dwelling on in our mind.  As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  Have you ever noticed that if you dwell on a bad thought... perhaps you are upset with your spouse about something, or perhaps you are having a pity party... or whatever.... when you allow yourself to dwell on the wrong thoughts, soon your entire mood and emotions follow those thoughts!  So I find myself reminding myself of this verse when my thoughts are taking me down a wrong or unproductive path.  I also share this verse often with friends who are depressed or angry.  Isn't God's Word amazing... it has a solution for all our problems, if we only will really listen and apply it's truths!
I am entering this in the following challenges:
Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe -Do chalk Direct to Paper, Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Your Style (I love combining sets, coloring, and lots of details), That Craft Place - Oh I do Like to be Beside the Seaside, The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan -Punches/Dies, Crazy 4 Challenges - Layer it on, Drunken Stampers -  Use Something New (stamp set), Marks Finest Papers -#92 Cards with at least 4 layers, My Sheri Crafts  - New Things, Stamp, Scrap and Doodle -  Anything Goes, Card Makin' Mamas -something Old (Footprints and Light of the World sets), Inspire Me Fridays – Link Up Party, Stampin With The Dragon - 2W, SIO – Week 2, Anything Goes, Crafting for all Seasons -  blue and white, I Brake For Challenges - fancy folds, Simon Says Stamp - anything goes, Stampavie and More - blue and white, Tandastamps -  scenic,  365 Cards - Nautical, Word Art Wednesday - Scripture or inspirational quote... one is offered each week or use what you are working on.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a blessed week!
Grace

It is Well with my Soul

Hello blogging friends!  I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful week!  I have had a very busy one beginning with a very special surprise birthday party my daughter and hubby threw for me on Sunday, and then a week filled with busyness including having a crown redone only to have it fall off again... and more fun things! LOL! 

Anyway...  I have a sneak peek for you today and I just love this stamp!  It is the sheet music to the old hymn "It is Well with my Soul", to be released on Feb. 1 by Our Daily Bread designs.   This hymn is one that has always been special to me.  After my sister died... this was the hymn I wanted to sing... and I did, with tears running down my cheeks, yet I was telling God that it was well with my soul.... I knew she was in a better place and that God makes no mistakes!  The story behind this old hymn is amazing!

Here is the story behind it if you are interested:

This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled,'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words,"When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.

Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.

Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."

On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.

Here are the lyrics, in case you can't read them above:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul
 
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 I hope this story blessed you !  Thanks for stopping by!

ODBD For the Love of Custom Dies Blog Hop and announcement!

ODBD For the Love of Custom Dies Blog Hop!

Our Daily Bread designs has a brand new team!   It's an Alumni team!  Some of our past designers have returned and will be sharing special projects with you bi-monthly on Thursdays! You can read all about it on the ODBD Blog today!

Meantime.... Welcome to our first Alumni Team "For the Love" Blog Hop! 

This week the new Alumni team along with some of the ODBD designer's are featuring for the Love of ODBD Custom Dies! Visit each link and leave a comment.  One of the posts is a hot spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to win a $15 ODBD store gift certificate. So, all you have to do is hop along and see all the creations and leave a little love! You have until February 1st at 6 pm eastern. Winner will be announced February 2nd! So, enjoy the hop and all the inspiration using  ODBD Custom Dies!

If you got here from Lori's fantastic Blog, you are in the right place!  If not, just pop on over to the ODBD Blog for the entire list with links!

 Here are my Card Details:

ODBD Stamps: Birthday Blessings, 2 step Butterfly, Serve The Lord
ODBD custom Dies used: Crocheted Circle Die, Crocheted Border Die, Grunge Butterfly Die
Card Stock: SU!
Designer Paper: Prima Pixie Glen
Ink: Memento, THoltz Distress Ink
Accessories: May Arts Silk Ribbon, CB embossed butterfly folder, Stickles, Silk Rose, Prima Pearls

I know you're anxious to keep hopping, so I'll send you along to Dawn's blog to see her yummy creation! 

I will praise Him! Our prayers have been answered!

Hello my dear blogging friends!  I just had to share the news, as I know many of you have been praying with us for a job for my husband.  Well.... today was the day, and he was offered and accepted a wonderful job!  He has a few more weeks "off" while paperwork is processed, but early in Feb. he will be starting his new job and we are both so thankful!  We know this is an answer to prayer and we want to give all glory, honor and praise to the One who leads us, guides us and provides our every need!

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Pa 103:1

Please be blessed by this video of one of my favorite songs.  It's a bit old, but touches my heart every time I hear it.  God is faithful my friends. Thank you Lord!

Happy Birthday Grandson!

Hello friends!  Just a real quick post today.  I wanted to share a card I made for my Grandson who turned 14 last Thursday!  Yikes!  Where did time go?  Anyway... I had won a free image from Karen's Doodles some time back and had chosen this one because my Grandson's dream is to get an old VW real cheap (is that possible?)  and then for Christmas, birthday,s etc. ask for the parts needed to fix it up and eventually he'd have a "whole" car!  Not a bad idea when you think about it!  Scary thing is that in TN. where he lives, kids can drive at 15!  Double Yikes !!!  Actually.... I think he will be a very good driver once he has had some experience and learns how to drive expecting the other guy to do something stupid.  (That is the one piece of advice I remember myself from Driver's Ed.... drive defensively and expect that the other guy is going to do something stupid. LOL!)  Anyhoo.... look out TN coz here he comes!!!

I  colored this fun image with Copics.  I knew the minute I saw this one that it was perfect for him!  Had to wait until I knew he had gotten it before I shared it.

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Cards For Men -  "Boys and Their Toys", Hooked on Crafts - Try Something New (digi), iCopic Challenge - must use Copics- use your neglected copic colors (Dark Blues), Lexi's Creations -  Anything Goes, Lollipop Crafts - NO Embellishments (yikes!), Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Scrappers Delights -Anything Goes, Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - Anything Goes, Dream Valley Challenges - Anything Goes, Gingerloft -  Anything Goes, One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes,Catch The Bug -  Birthday Challenge, Secret Crafter - #168 Anything goes with Blue

That's it for me today!  I've been VERY busy creating, but creating things I can's share just yet! :)

Double Dutch Fold Friendship Card

 
I wanted to share a new fold I tried for the first time!  This is the Double Dutch Fold and was the featured fold on Splitcoaststampers last week.  I made this with Our Daily Bread designs Jan. release, Birthday Blessings (image) and Special Blend (sentiment and frame inside).  I used SU! for my base and SEI Promise Me for the pretty little teacup paper.  I made the belly band with a Martha Stewart punch.

I used a Spellbinder's Floral Doily die behind my teacup image.  The image is colored with Copics.  I like the fold on this!  Very easy and fun!  You can find it in the recourse section of SCS or use this link!

 I am entering this in the following challenges:
Crafty Catz - Something New, (new dp and stamps sets), Delicious Doodles –  All Things New, Fairy Tale -  Something New, Inspire Me Fridays – Link Up Party, Patties Creations - – Fancy Folds, Simply Create Too - More than 2 Layers, Meljens Designs- Anything Goes, Crafty Creations - #152 something new, Freshly Brewed -  something new, Gingersnap Creations - #134 ribbon, Inky Impressions -#39 anything goes,

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Never Give Up!

Hello everyone!  I hope you are having a great week!   Today I have a sample I made with Our Daily Bread designs Jan. release, Never Give Up, Grunge Cross, matching die, and Grunge Cross Background.  I stamped the background with VersaMark and then lightly chalked it, then I stamped the Grunge Cross image with Archival Sepia over the bg.  I stamped another cross and cut it out with the custom die, sponged the edges and popped up, just offset.  The sentiment is a wonderful quote from W. Churchill.  My daughter has this quote on her "wall of encouragement" over her treadmill, and she used it and several Scriptures on running the race, never giving up, etc. to train for her first half marathon.  I love this set and think it would have so many good uses!  The card stock is SU! and the Designer paper is SEI Moravian.  The sentiment is mounted on a Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Accent, and the ribbon and bling is from my stash.  I sewed and sponged the edges.  The entire card took less than an hour, which for me is a record! LOL!  Love sets that make up this quickly!  Hope you do too!

I am entering this in the following challenges:
 Cupcake Craft - Something New (stamps), House of Gilli - Anything Goes, Lexi's Creations -Anything Goes, Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Paper Creations Ink - Die Cuts and/or Punches, Scrappers Delights - Anything Goes, Stamp and Create -Anything Goes, Truly Madly Crafty Challenges -  Anything Goes, Addicted to Stamps  Must use stamp, Colour Blue, Dream Valley Challenges - Anything Goes, Gingerloft -Anything Goes, Opus Gluei - "Out with the Old and In with the New"- new stamps, old ribbon and bling, Pile It On - "Manly Cards", Sparkles Forum - Anything BUT a Christmas Card, The Squirrel & the Fox - Something New, Catch The Bug -  January Anything Goes, Crafty Emma - Anything goes, Our Daily Bread Designs -  In with the New, out with the old, Card Makin' Mamas - New Year or Something New )new stamps and how about the sentiment for your new years resolution!), Fairy Tale - Something New, Jellypark Challenges  Use Something Old AND Something New (new stamps, old ribbon)

A Stamping in Time Birthday!

It is time for ODBD Stamping In Time Challenge (SNTODBD51)!  The Challenge this rotation is all about 2012!  Or, at least the numbers that make up the year.  Like 2-0-1-2. The numbers are a formula or recipe for how much we can add  or not add to our card!   Any stamps are allowed; however, if you use ODBD stamps you are entered twice for the win!  Play as often as you like!  The more you play the more you increase you chances to win!  

2-  Use two of something ( I used 2 butterflies)

0-  Use zero of something ( I didn't use any lace or stitching)

1- Use one of something (I used one sentiment)

2- Use two of something else (I used two  bracket die cuts for my side panel, matting them)

I made this  with ODBD's January release: Bleeding Heart Stamp, Birthday Blessings,  and 2 Step Butterfly and matching die.  I also used Serve the Lord (crocheted border) and matching die.  I used Mark's Finest Papers and SU! for my card stock, Glitter Paper by Marcella K (black bird cage), My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Blush, and Prima designer papers.  The birdcage is a Tim Holtz die. I colored the bleeding hearts with Copics and fussy cut them so I could weave them into the bird cage.  I used a couple embossing folders and some bakers twine, a scrap of hand dyed seam binding, and finished it off with some Spica Glitter Pen on the butterflies.  Sorry that doesn't show up in the photo.

We can't wait to see what YOU create for this challenge!!!   Have fun with it!

Please visit my DT sisters who also created samples for this challenge: 

Lori
 Jan

Kathy

Chris

Jan Marie

Betty

I am also playing along with the following challenges: 

Freshly Brewed  something new  (new stamps) My Mum's Craft shop Something new (new stamps) Paper Shelter Challenge Anything goes Cupcake Craftroom   Anything Goes House of Gilli Anything Goes Incy Wincy Designs Anything Goes Make it Monday Always Anything Goes Paper Creations Ink Die Cuts and/Punches Simon Says Stamp and Show Something New (newstamps)  The Pink Elephant Anything Goes Truly Madly Crafty Challenges  Anything Goes Sentimental Sundays  a Sentiment/Anything Goes

Birthday Blessings!

Hello everyone!  I hope you are enjoying getting back to "normal" after the Christmas and New Years holidays!  I am going on week 3 of the crud here, but I'm finally feeling better, even though you might not believe it to hear me cough! LOL!  Anyhoo.... I wanted to share another card I made with this month's release from Our Daily Bread designs.  I used Birthday Blessings to create this card, and the Sweet Sunday Sketch was just perfect for my image!  My base is Coredinations, the designer paper is Kaisercraft Lilac Ave. pad, and I added an ancient doily and seam binding.  The image is colored with Copics and accented with Spica Glitter Pens.  In real life they look pretty, but I have yet to be able to capture that on camera!  Anyway.... just a quick post today.  Hope you love this set as much as I do!  It will be a go to set for me for sure!!!

I am also entering this in the following challenges:
Creative Inspirations Paint - - Something New, Robyn`s Fetish - Anything Goes, Paper Sundaes -  C10 - Something Old, Something New, Pile It On - Anything Goes,  Sentimental Sundays - must include a Sentiment - Anything Goes, Sparkles Forum -  Anything BUT a Christmas Card, Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge -  #51 Anything Goes Using Your New Stash, Partytime Tuesdays - #48 Anything Goes, Top Tip Tuesday - #67 Anything Goes, Crafty Boots -  Celebrations, Critter Sketch - Celebration, Heart Song Inspirations - Anything Goes, House of Gilli -  Anything Goes, Make it Monday - always Anything Goes, Simon Says Stamp and Show... - Something New, The Cutie Pie Challenge -  cards Use a Sentiment




Have a wonderful week!

ODBD January Release Blog Hop

Welcome to the Our Daily Bread designs January Release Blog Hop!  If you got here from Chris' Delightful Blog, you are in the right place.  If not you might want to start at the Our Daily Bread designs Blog and start from the beginning.  If you get lost along the way, simply return there, where the entire hop is listed with links.

Now, here are the Hop Details:

• The Hop will run 8am EDT Jan. 1 until 8pm EDT Jan 2.

• The winners will be announced on the ODBD Blog on Jan 3.

• Five blessed hoppers will win a $20.00 Gift Certificate for ODBD Stamps!

Here is what you have to do to be qualified to win one of these prizes:

• Hop to each designer’s blog and leave a comment

• Return to the Our Daily Bread designs blog and leave a comment telling us that you completed the hop, making note if there were any you could not comment on.

• Answer the question  on the ODBD blog when you leave your comment.

Here are my project details:

I made my wall hanging out of two layers of very thick chipboard.  I cut them with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  I used designer paper from My Mind's Eye and stamped the images from ODBD's Jan. release: God's Love, Two Step Butterflies, and Grunge Butterfly Background directly onto the dp.  I used the custom butterfly die to cut the butterfly out, and then added stickles to parts of his wings.  I punched holes for my ribbon hanger, adhered 2 grommets,  and ran the ribbon through, securing behind the top layer of chipboard.  I then adhered the second layer of chipboard so the back is nice and finished.  I spritzed the seam binding (Martha Stewart) with Sea Glass Glimmer Mist and wrinkled up til dry, then made my bow.  One little ZVA creative rose and some ZVA Creative pearl flourishes finish it off.  I love this sentiment in this set and decided I'd like it hanging on my craft room wall where I can be reminded of God's wonderful limitless love for me!  I see this set being a real "go to" set for many of my card making needs!  Hope you enjoyed my project!

Here is another card I made as a sneak peek at another of the wonderful new sets, Birthday Blessings:

For the details on this card just scroll down 1 post!

Now, from here, hop to Connie's beautiful blog!