Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May 1 ODBD Release Blog Hop!

A-strong-Fortress
Welcome to the Our Daily Bread designs May Release Blog Hop! If you got here from Chris’ Awesome 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 EST May 1 until 8pm EST May 2. The winners will be announced on the ODBD Blog on May 3. 
  • Three hoppers will be randomly selected to win ONE FREE SET of CHOICE, and One blessed hopper will win this month’s BREAD BASKET BUNDLE!!!
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.
So now, here are the details of  my card:

 For the card above, I used Fortress.  I wanted a softened effect, so I stamped the tower with Sahara Sand on SU! White and then colored with Copics, masked the tower,  and airbrushed the background. I then stamped the verse on Vellum with Stazon Ink, centered on the image, and adhered on the back.  Then I embossed both layers together with a Cuttlebug folder.  (Sorry I don't remember the name of the folder.)  I used a base of Bazzil, then matted with gray and white (SU!).  The corners are Spellbinders Moroccan Accents, using my shadow effect described last week.   The ribbon is May Arts, and the bow is made with Becca's Peg Bow maker.  The pearls are from AC Moore. 

Just in case you missed my post yesterday, I will share the sneak peek I made using the Happy Retirement set, so you can see one other idea for this set too. You can read the details about this card  HERE.


Happy-Retirement-sd

The first card fits this week's ODBD Shining the Light Challenge: no designer paper.  Come play along!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my projects!  Now, from here, hop to the talented and sweet Connie!

148 comments:

Suzanne C said...

Love that vellum it casts such a soft glow with your beautiful shading of color behind the fortress. Beautiful! The easel card is fab and what a brilliant idea to use the shells to keep it open!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Wow!!! Stunning in every way Grace!! You know I love that tower card with the sheer elegance, softness and design. You are mega talented gf!! The easel is perfect for a masculine retirement. I just love the paper and added details.
hugs,
Chris

Sandee Shanabrough said...

WOW!!! Grace this is Stunning with a capital S!!! What a cool design!!!

Ellie Knol said...

You all really make I want it to be summer already! Going to the beach! Nice warm weather...

Rozy said...

Wow! Both cards are just beautiful. The various techniques you used for the first card make for one stunning finished product.

Dawn said...

wow Grace! love the tower in the embossed frame and the vellum adds that softenss...lovely!!
your easel card is just fabulous!! love the colors

Becky said...

Grace, this is beautiful! So soft and dreamy....total perfection as always!

Loretta O. said...

Beauties in every way! Gorgeous work!

CraftyJo said...

Love that soft, dreamy feel with the first card and I can picture myself on that hammock enjoying my retirement......beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely, lovely!!!

Martha said...

What beautiful creations.

Shona Erlenborn said...

The first card is amazing. Gives me goosebumps! What a great saying and I love the colors you used. Great retirement easel card too. Superb coloring.

Anonymous said...

I am loving your cards.

Caryn S said...

What an awesome pair of cards! Beautiful inking on the first card, it almost glows. Love how you used the shells on the second to make the easel, very clever!

Irma said...

Very nice. Love the bow. It adds a "pop" to it

Becky said...

Both of these are gorgeous Grace. I love the softness of the vellum, great designs.

Sherry Kushibab said...

Two beautiful cards. Love the soft colors with the hint of black in the first (framed in pearls, woohoo). The second card with that fab bg paper and hint of netting is just toooo adorable. Makes me want to feel some sand between my toes.

Becky Green said...

WOW!!!!!!!!! Your Fortress card is STUNNING!!!!!! Those subtle colors & the black....Those little corner pieces just POP!!!!!! Your retirement card is FABULOUS!!!!!!!! LOVE the easel card for this!!!!!!!!! :)

Becky Green said...

WOW!!!!!!!!! Your Fortress card is STUNNING!!!!!! Those subtle colors & the black....Those little corner pieces just POP!!!!!! Your retirement card is FABULOUS!!!!!!!! LOVE the easel card for this!!!!!!!!! :)

Rhonda said...

Wow Both cards are Great. Love to use vellum too!

Lil said...

Love this card.

Tkat said...

two awesome cards! the details on both are spectacular! love the "pearls" border you created on teh first one...and the shells to keep the easel card open are perfect! :)

Anita Braddock said...

Beautiful love the cards wow the first Card is Stunning love the layering and the embossing is Awesome love the Vellum overlay with the Image behind. Love the colors and your blending of your colors is amazing. love the layering the added Ribbon is perfect. thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

These are beautiful. Who wouldn't like to receive those cards?

Sue said...

What beatiful cards, stunning.

Janice said...

How beautiful, so soft and elegant. Perfect verse for your design. Love it.

Dorothy said...

Love this design. It is a Wow

kathi17 said...

Both cards are really nice, the retirement one is so fun, but I especially love the Fortress one. That one is exquisite with all the details you put into it. Just beautiful!

Kathy O said...

Beautiful cards! I simply love the retirement set! Just fabulous coloring!

Rebecca Slocum said...

Grace, your card is exquisite, and I love the music on your site. It is healing. Thank you so much.

loftylass said...

So beautiful Grace - I like the muted effect. tfs
Heather (UK)

Welsh Annie said...

Lovely peaceful feel to the first card, very nice. The retirement card makes me feel so dreamy, hoping for a summer where we can enjoy relaxing in a hammock. Anne

Lois Kennedy said...

Love the technique you used on the first card. Your second card is simple stunning. You are such a talented designer.

Sabrina Jackson said...

Grace, sweet Grace, I am blown away by both of these beauties!! The first one with that fabulous glow under of the tower and then genius vellum layer over it...gorgeous!!! The second is fabulous in every sense of the word as well and will definitely make the recipient go "WOW"!!! Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

KVencel said...

Absolutely wonderful use of copics on the castle! Love the softness which brings out the sentiment, of course.

Julie- justwritedesigns said...

These are amazing! I love the airbrushing and embossing on the tower card...so stately and subtle. Your easel card is just fabulous! Love the papers and colors.

Kelley said...

I was so surprised to see a feminine approac to the tower stamp and I LOVE it! My mind was only thinking masculine!! Te vellum is so pretty! LOVE the easel card...heart, heart!!!

Primitive Seasons said...

Love the "misty" look for the fortress. Such a unique idea. Also really like the soft colors.

Mary

Kim Rudisill said...

The subtle colors of this card are very appealing. And I really like the shadows in the corners. Very nice card. Thanks

Marie D. said...

Grace,
Love your creations. The effect of the fortress behind the vellum is very pretty.
I'm going to have to get the retirement set it is a keeper!

Unknown said...

Wow!! like the shadow in the corners. great work

Dianne said...

Grace both of these are so beautiful. Love the vellum on the first card and the easel card is perfect.

Hugs,
Dianne

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful! And your choice of music to accompany the design. Thank you.

Dottie said...

Very very nice. The truth of the scriptures is so edifying. This is such a beautiful card in every way.

Cynthia Xavier said...

Holly cow! Your cards are a work of art, they should be mounted on a wall. Absolutely beautiful.

Gail L said...

The cards are great!
The first one is so elegant, and the second is an awesome easel!

craftieodmae said...

I love eveything you make, these are 2 more to the list, gorgeous!!!!

Sheila said...

Your website and your card is AWESOME! Thanks for that inspiring card

Pattie J. said...

Your cards are very creative and I just love them both. ......hugs and smiles..

MsCraftlife said...

what a contrast... but both are beautiful... thank you

JKB said...

Amazing cards! The fortress is so beautiful and the easel card so fun!

Penny said...

These are both great cards!

gardener said...

Cards gorgeous. Love your use of color.

Leigh Scherzer said...

That soft pearlescent glow is a terrific effect! It looks like it is lit from behind - very pretty. - Leigh

Christy Davidson said...

It may not seem like it, but I am speechless. I want to make this exactly. And the techniques used...fantastic!

Lisa said...

Loving the whole idea of this card and the vellum over the stamped image combined with the image stamped on the vellum is just super and the great moroccan dies too. just a beautiful card
Lisa :D
x

Pati said...

Both cards are very nice. Cool combo of papers & stamps on the Relax card.

Nan G said...

WOW! Seems to be the word of the day! Fantastic cards! Love the tower card with the vellum layer and the embossing. Great dp on the second card!

Annette S said...

Grace

What a stunning card. The embossing and spellbinders you used give it a very elegant look.
Thank you for sharing

Ratty Hugs said...

I make a lot of cards and I am always looking for inspiration for them.
alsmouse ~C8> Ratty Hugs

Luv 2 Create said...

Fabulous cards Grace. Love this new retirement stamp set. If I could find a secluded tropical island like this, my bags would be packed in a heart beat!!!!
Marcie

Claire Spielman said...

Beautiful on the first card...love the corners. The second card is just like home (we live in Florida!)
Creative Wishes,
Claire S.
www.scfapmyway.blogspot.com

FM said...

Very inspirational projects!

christi said...

oh, how i love vellum. gorgeous card. your second one is so beachy. it's like i'm there looking out the window. wonderful creations.

mamaduck said...

Your card has a very elegant look. I love the playful look of the second card.

Jean said...

Oh my Grace, I love this card and I think the name Fortress is so perfect for what you have done with it.. Love the vellum overlay and the colors that come through. The corners are so stunning with the pearls and the sentiment is so beautiful.. This is a delicate card. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, Jean

Queen Mary said...

Grace, I said this to Chris I think, but I love that your retirement card can stand on its own -- excellent use of the cute little shells. I really like the fortress card too -- it's great to see the sentiment fits inside the fortress!

Riet said...

What a wonderful cards Grace.

Hugs Riet.xx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful card Grace

E. Marie said...

Grace, what wonderful cards. I love the soft look your airbrushing gave on the first card and your second card was so awesome I thought I was actually at the beach for a few minutes. Beautiful!!

barbiwire said...

Love both cards! I feel inspired by everyone's creativity. Thanks for sharing!

TrinaM said...

Love the vellum and corners on your Fortress card. The second Retirement card is awesome as well - really looks like a Beach scene. TFS.

pegphillips said...

You do beautiful work; you are very talented

occasionali said...

The cards are so different but both beautiful. Love the air brushed effect on first card.

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the card stamped
with "Fortress"---love the soft
effect and the corner accents!

Unknown said...

Wow, both are absolutely stunning, love the effect with the vellum overlay. Thank you for sharing.

wilber said...

Your cards are wonderful, thank you for sharing your talents!

Kathy Billings said...

Love both cards but especially love the Happy Retirement easel card.

Cheryl W. said...

Gorgeous cards! Love the vellum on the first one - it's such a wonderful product to work with.

Designing with Debbie said...

Beautiful cards. The coloring on the first one is stunning. The image on the second is so serene.

Anonymous said...

Really like your creations. Especially the second one.

Angella D. Crockett said...

My goodness, I am totally blown away with both of your projects! Your creativity is endless!!! Blessings, Angie

Rosa Ann Whitehorn Smith said...

I loved the use of the "corners". Scritures always bless my heart.

Rachel Brooks said...

Love the "glow" you created for this card. Very effective - almost like a light shining from behind.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card and I love the music

Anonymous said...

I really like this card. Thank you for sharing.

Shelia said...

oh these are both lovely. I really like how you stamped the verse on the fortress. very nicely done!

Becca Feeken said...

Oh my Grace, this is beautiful, and another vellum lover!! Your design is ethereal and the glow from the tower is majestic - just beautiful!! Wonderful retirement card also!

Sue D said...

I like how you used the vellum on the first card. Great retirement card.

craftymom205 said...

Great projects. Especially love the first card.

craftymom205 at yahoo dot com

scrappinpeg said...

Wow Grace... These projects are wonderful. Love the vellum!!! :)

Melody said...

Lovely. Just lovely!!

rlovew said...

Amazing cards! I love the velum over the background stamp!

Sue K (Australia) said...

Great cards. Love the verse on the first - and again love love love that Retirement Set!!!!!!!!!!

Babs Y. said...

Very nice! I love the colors.

Francie G. said...

Two fabulous projects, Grace! Love the beautiful elegance of the first! Wonderful corners ~ just so elegant! Love the retirement card. Beautiful!

Debbie said...

Gorgeous cards!

Donna said...

Just perfect! I love the softness of the card yet the boldness of the statement, just the perfect combination! Keep providing us with inspiration!

Becky Dunham said...

Beautiful projects Grace! I love the softness of the first one - so lovely. The second card gives me such a sweet serene feeling - wish I was there :)

Carol parker said...

your cards are truly creative, love the shading and scrolls.

Alicia said...

I love the corner embellishments

Unknown said...

Amazing cards!!! I love the look of the vellum on your first and the colors are great on the second :)

Charlotte Ann said...

WOW! Love the vellum, the corners and all those pearls on your first card, and love the beach scene you created on your retirement card.

Betty Wright said...

Both are awesome, Grace! Love the picturesque relaxing getaway card. Truly needs a frame! The top card is so inspiring with the vellum. I should use vellum more(note to self). Love how it softens the whole look and really lets that scripture speak volumes! Beautifully done!

Cards By Jan said...

AWESOME cards Grace!! wow.....You really did the tower justice, with the warm glow, the velum sure add a great effect, and with your awesome colouring on both.wow 2 Winners!!
Hugs

Rosemary said...

oh.my.goodness!! what amazing cards, grace! i love the first one and how you used the vellum!! so gorgeous... the second one is equally gorgeous!

Frann said...

WOW!!! The "Fortress" is so elegant! The retirement card is also very pretty.

Susan said...

Your fortress card is very eye-catching. I absolutely love the script on the sentiment.
I also enjoyed looking at your terrific retirement card. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Anonymous said...

Those adorable little sea shells look great! So pretty!

Sherry said...

Wow!! both cards are simply gorgeous!! I eally like the first one with the vellum overlay!

Christine said...

I love the softness of the fortress card! Thanks for two great ideas!

Fernanda said...

Wow your Copic coloring and airbrushing is spectacular!!!! I love the corner accents and the softness the vellum gives the entire card.

Fernanda said...

Wow your Copic coloring and airbrushing is spectacular!!!! I love the corner accents and the softness the vellum gives the entire card.

Fernanda said...

Wow your Copic coloring and airbrushing is spectacular!!!! I love the corner accents and the softness the vellum gives the entire card.

Greta said...

2 lovely cards!

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness! Both of your cards are amazing! The first is so soft and pretty. Every little detail is just lovely. I love the 2nd card also. Those colors just rock! You did an awesome job coloring with the Copics. What amazing attention to detail - like the netting, for example. You have inspired me, that's for sure! Thanks so much for sharing!

Hettie said...

I just love these cards. They both have such unique attributes. Thanks for sharing.

Anna said...

I love yor cards the first is so soft and the second one is so vibrant.

Tanja said...

Lovely cards, I like the muted effect of the tower in the first one.

Marie-Louise said...

Two marvellous cards. Love the fortress one as it is so useful for someone who is ill or a great Sympathy card.

Anonymous said...

beautiful!

Gail Binette said...

Oh so pretty. Makes me want to go play at your house. Absolutely love it!

Judy W. said...

Wonderful cards! Love the soft glow around the tower and the way you stamped that great verse on it!

Edie Vatamaniuck said...

I love the vellum over the tower. what a great card.

Konnie with a K said...

The embossing and corners are phenomenal! I will be on a search to find those! Great card!

JoanneO said...

What a soft, lovely card! Great retirement cart, also. I enjoyed your blog site. It is so peaceful!

mary b. said...

Love the cards, especially the tropihcal one. It makes me want to escape to a tropical island. Really nice job.

mary b. said...

Love the cards, especially the tropihcal one. It makes me want to escape to a tropical island. Really nice job.

stampencamper said...

these cards are adorable, so much detail, love these images, and the fortress is such a great addition, don't see many of them

Marina said...

Beautiful. Love the color combo and the layering on both projects.

Paula Magnus (Pages with Paula) said...

Grace, your cards are beautiful! On the first, I love how you softened up the fortress and it added so much to the meaning! I don't use Sahara Sand much but love the way it looked on this card. May have to rethink that! LOL! I also loved the second card. So fitting!

Betty said...

Gorgeous fortress card...the airbrushing is just beautiful! Great retirement card!!

Gemiel said...

Beautiful Grace!!! Love how you added the scripture on the tower.

LaDawn said...

This is a great card. Love how you added the vellum to soften the card.

angelic said...

The card is beauitful and loved the way you used the vellum to stamp the script.

Unknown said...

The fortress card is lovely. I just couldn’t see what I would do with this set, love the saying but the tower made me shy away but with this card it is really growing on my fast.

Vail said...

Both cards are beautiful, love the softness of the of the 1st card.

Sandy said...

the rainbow fortress is breathtaking,wish my retirement was as nice as your card

Jan Garber said...

Wow, both cards are fantastic. I'm really loving the retirement set. I even saved your second card in my Fav card file!

Anonymous said...

Both cards are wonderful, love the effect of the vellum on your first card.

Louise said...

I love the corners on the first card and the black bow just pops! TFS

Mary C said...

Love this card Grace. Love the linen card stock as tge base for this card.

JD/ Jill said...

Wow! Both cards are so awesome, but I really like the pop with your second card. Beautiful coloring, and the Dp just makes this lovely, creative, card so Stunning!

Pam D said...

Love both cards, super job, TFS!

Cheryl Wright said...

Gorgeous cards, Grace. I especially love the male card - maybe because they're so hard to make!

Joanne (jojot) said...

your first card glows with elegance and the second is fabulously warm and inviting

Traci S. said...

Hi Grace~

I love the look of the embossed vellum. I have been using all of my vellum paper up! This is so elegant, and yet the Scripture and the dark ink and bow show the strength of the Proverb! Are those individual pearls adhered on the side? A strand? Or is it part of the embossing? Your other card is so beautifully colored and the scene looks so real...come see me if you want the beach!

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather

You May Receive 1-5 Cards! Visit:
http://He-IS-Able.blogspot.com

Sally-Ann Huson said...

Such an interesting card and the techniques used make it look so different. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your creatvity.