Jer. 29:11

Hello friends! I hope you are all doing well!  I have a quick sneak peek to share with you today and I think you're going to love the new products coming on June 1 from Our Daily Bread designs! 

This card uses a new stamp set called Good Man, and is perfect for so many different occasions.  I am also showing some AWESOME new dies, ODBD Custom Workshop Tools dies, and Pegboard & Hooks dies.  It's so fun to cut out these tools and "hang" them on this cute pegboard!  I paired this wonderful verse from Jer. 29:11 with some BoBunny designer paper called Welcome Home.  I loved how the paper had house and landscape "plans" on it and thought it was perfect for this verse, along with the tools.  Not sure if you can see the tiny nails, screws and nut in the lower left corner but they are also in the workshop tools die set.  I used foam tape to pop up the pegboard die as well as the verse.  I usd a base of Baked Brown Sugar, a mat of black, and sponged with Distress ink.  I embellished with some open weave twine and left it simple.  

I loved the idea of using the house plans as well as the tools for this card, because it reminds me so much of how God often has to "work" on us, using whatever tools are best for the need, to shape us and mold us in to the people He wants us to be.  He has a plan for each one of us who know Him as Savior, and we can rest assured even when things are rough and we're not seeing His plan, He has a plan, and it is for our good.  He loves us infinitely and cannot love less, and just as a father disciplines his dearly loved children, so the Father does with us.  Our family has just come through a sad and disappointing time, but we know God's plan is way better than ours ever could have been, so we are just waiting on Him to lead us to that place He has already planned for us.  What a comfort to be able to rest in God's promises!

That's it for today.... but please come back June 1 to see the rest of the release!  I know you won't want to miss this one!

Blessings,

From Me To You!

Hello friends!  I do hope you are all doing well!  

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms reading this!!!  I hope you have a wonderful day!  It's always with mixed emotions that I enjoy Mother's day with my family, but still, it's bittersweet because I miss being able to wish my mom and my mother in law a happy Mother's Day as well.  I know they are enjoying the day in Jesus' presence, but I do miss them especially on special days. 

 I made for this card for the  sketch challenge this week on Splitcoaststampers.   Cathy came up with a fun and easy sketch and I had the time to play along.

I used the newly released Trois Jolis set for my butterfly, along with the ODBD Custom Tres Papillon dies to cut it.  I also used the Mini Tag Sentiments set and the Mini Tag Dies to cut my tag.  For the shape of my card I used a Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  I used design paper from Prima Meadow Lark and a scrap from my stash, and used Neenah Solar White for my base.  

I stamped the butterfly with Dusty Concord ink, colored with Copics and then with a Clear Wink of Stella Glitter pen.  The sentiment is stamped with ColorBox Violet Pigment ink.  The embossing folder I used is from Craftwell.  It's a large format so was able to emboss the entire grand die cut at once.  The ribbon is May Arts silk and the little spray of flowers is made up of different elements from Wild Orchid.  

Today's Blessing from the Word:

Ps. 118:6

The Lord is on my side, I will not fear

What can man do to me?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

Trust God!

Hello sweet friends!  I hope you are enjoying a wonderful week! We seem to have jumped in to summer here in NC this week!  Temps in the 80s and lots of sun!

Today I'm popping in to share another card I made using the May release from Our Daily Bread designs.  I wanted to share another idea for the gorgeous vine corner set, Belles Vignes .  I have been heat embossing it and doing a typical resist technique with it, and it's always beautiful that way.  However this time, I used a glitter embossing powder.  This particular one is Tim Holtz Lavender Glitter Embossing Powder.  I used VersaMark to stamp the vine corner onto a  scrap of purple paper I had from a larger project.  I can't remember the name, but any designer paper would work.  When you heat emboss the glitter powder, you get a permanently fixed glitter that sparkles beautifully but does not shed much loose glitter.  (I did say not "much".  LOL!  You will have a little that sheds but it's minimal)  The photo does not do this technique justice but in real life I do love how it came out.

For my focal point, I wanted to use the new die, Fancy Fritillary, and I wanted an element of gold to go on this deep purple paper, so I used a scrap of gold mirror paper and die cut the butterfly from it.  I cut a frame using the Quatrefoil Design die, cutting the mat and the inside design to create just an open frame.  I added one flourish from the Fancy Foliage die set and some pearls.  The sentiment is stamped with ColorBox Violet Pigment ink, and heat embossed it in clear ep.  I used the smallest die from the Vintage Flourish Pattern die set to cut it out.  I also cut a lacy edge from white, using the Beautiful Borders die set.  The white frame and the sentiment panel are both popped up on dimensionals.  I added just a few purple pearls to finish it off. 

So I hope that gives you some more ideas for the gorgeous corner stamp, Belles Vignes!  I'm also planning on trying some flocking with it and I bet that will be totally elegant!

Here is today's blessing from the Word:

Rev. 1:5-6

To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I love reading your comments!

Hugs,

Welcome to the ODBD May Release!

Hello friends!  Welcome to the ODBD May release!!!  All of the DT are super excited about this month's release, and I think you will be too when you see all the awesome inspiration the team has for you!  

Here are the details on how You can win some Stamp Bucks!

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate to the ODBD Store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD Stamps found in the "stamps column" of the website just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until May 2, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. EDT to leave your comments on the Designers Blogs for a chance to win!  The Winners will be posted on the ODBD Blog on May 3rd, so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

If you haven't had a chance to view the entire release, be sure to pop on over to the ODBD Blog to see it all!

Now on to my card above~  I used the new and wonderful Belles Vignes, Trois Jolis Papillons, and Psalm 23 for my stamps.  I also used the matching dies, ODBD CustomTres Papillons, and another newly released die, ODBD Custom Birds and Nest, along with past releases, Fancy Foliage and Vintage Labels.  

I started by stamping the beautiful vine corner image with White Craft Ink on a pale lavender paper.  I heat embossed it with white embossing powder, and then sponged with Dusty Concord Distress ink, using a resist technique.  I wanted a sort of ombre effect so I kept working more of the purple color in to the base of the image and then lightening the color the further away I went from that corner.  I wiped any residual ink off the white embossed areas when I was finished sponging.  Next I stamped Ps. 23 on vellum using ColorBox Violet Pigment Ink, and I heat embossed it with clear embossing powder very carefully so I did not over heat it or cause it to curl.  I tore both sides and scored a line at the top and bottom where I would fold it over my card and adhere it to the back side.  I wanted to not cover up the beautiful vine detail, but I wanted the words of the Psalm to sort of float on top of it so I thought the vellum was the perfect solution. ( I decided some crisp white behind the vellum would make the script show up better so I cut the largest die from the Vintage Labels Dies set and adhered that behind the vellum.  Yes, I think that made it pop! ) I then stamped and heat embossed the butterflies in the same way as the Scripture, and die cut them with the matching Tres Papillons dies.  I then turned them over and working from the back side, using my embossing tools and an embossing pad, I lightly embossed to make the vellum look whiter and also to give some dimension to the "spots" on the butterflies.  Unfortunately the photo doesn't do this technique justice, but I like how it came out.  I wanted to add some flowers to my vine as well, so I die cut the little flowers from the new Birds and Nest Die set and sponged the edges with ink, then spritzed with water, shaping them on my embossing pad.  I glued the layers together and let dry before adhering them on my card.  I added a few leave, some in card stock and some in vellum, which I cut from the Fancy Foliage Die set and decided to stop there. 

For my next card, I used the newly released Spread Your Wings stamp set, as well as the matching ODBD Custom Birds and Nest Dies.  In addition I used past released dies: Fancy Foliage Dies, Vintage Flourish Pattern, and Elegant Oval Dies, all ODBD Custom dies. 

This card was very easy to make thanks to the wonderful new dies!  I stamped my birds and nest, as well as the sentiment with Memento Black ink, and colored with Copics.  I then cut them out with the Custom Birds and Nest dies.  I started with a base of Neenah Solar White 140lb card stock, added a die cut layer using the Vintage Flourish Pattern Die and dimensional foam tape.   I cut the Fancy Flourish from a scrap of Old Olive card stock and cut it apart to fit my design, tucking it in behind the nest to sort of "ground" the nest.  I layered up the rest with foam tape and added a tiny ribbon and rose from the Bridal Dept at Michael's.  

To Recap the new products I used today:

I absolutely love these birds and butterflies, and I know these are going to be "go to" stamps and dies that I will use often!  I hope you've enjoyed my projects today!  Please be sure to stop and visit my DT sisters to be amazed by their creativity with the new goodies!

Here are the LINKS to their blogs:

Lori * Julie * Sandee * Dawn * Amy * Cathy * America * Chris * Angie * Audrey * Sabrina 

* Grace * Silke * Loretta * Lisa * Wanda

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

This "MAY" be a sneak peek!

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well!  We are finally enjoying what I consider perfect spring weather!  Carolina blue skies and perfect temps and I'm in my glory!

 I wanted to pop in and share a sneak peek at some new wonderful sets in the  May release from  Our Daily Bread designs.  I used a set called Belles Vignes for my sentiment, and a new Butterfly and Bugs set, along with a matching Butterfly and Bugs die set.  I also used a past release for the die that cut my sentiment, Elegant Ovals.  I pieced a patchwork background using scraps from the Shabby Rose Paper Collection, and I stitched in spite of a machine that hates paper! LOL!  I placed it all on a base of Sahara Sand card stock and added some wide lace for a shabby feel.  The butterflies are stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa, colored with Copics, and then cut with the custom die, then I cut another butterfly from vellum for a shadow effect on each butterfly. 

I am totally stoked about this upcoming release!  I have had a blast working on samples and I've been amazed at what the rest of the DT has come up with!  I think you're going to consider this one of the best releases yet!  I hope you'll be back on May 1 to view it all!

Today's Blessing from the Word:

Luke 7:47

Therefore I tell you, her sins , which were many, are forgiven ~ for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

Thanking God for His amazing grace in forgiving all my sin, and His love for each one of us!

Sorry to hear you're under the weather!

Hello friends!  I do hope NONE of you are under the weather today!   However, if you are... consider this my card to you!

I played again with this month's release from Our Daily Bread Designs.  I used the April Showers stamp set for my sentiment, and stamped it with Baja Breeze ink, then cut it with one of the GORGEOUS dies in the Custom Layered Lacey Squares Die set.  I then took a scrap of design paper and cut the next size up from this die set, embossed it and then ran my white craft ink pad over the raised areas.  I heat embossed white embossing powder on those areas, leaving a shiny edge with some of the original peachy colored paper peeking through.  I like how it emphasizes the pattern of the die cut and the shimmer it gave.  I then cut the lacey largest die cut piece from white and embossed it.  I popped up each layer with dimensional tape and adhered it to a simple layout of design paper from Pebbles Garden Party.  I'm so in love with this paper and it's so cheery for a showery April!  Mine was a gift from a sweet friend, but you can find it in AC Moore.  I used a scrap of design paper from my last card and cut an umbrella from it using the Umbrella Die, and sponged it to give just a little more definition. I cut some heart raindrops from the Clouds and Raindrops Die set and added them to my upper left corner.  I then took a Clear Wink of Stella pen and colored the umbrella and the heart raindrops.  I love the shimmer that gave, although the photo does not show it.  It's raining here again today... basically all week we are having showers, so no great photos, but a great time to stamp!   The little ribbon with rose is from Micheal's bridal department.  I'm loving how small it is and how easily it fits a card without overwhelming it. 

Well that's it for today!  It's a pretty simple design but hopefully will bring some cheer to one who's not feeling well!

Today's Blessing from the Word:

Deut. 8:3

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna... to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Blessings,

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Hello friends!  I hope you all enjoyed a blessed Easter!  

I'm popping in quickly to share a gate fold card I made using this month's release from Our Daily Bread Designs. I used April Showers for my sentiment, and cut it with a Vintage Flourish  Pattern die.  I used this fun design paper from Pebbles Garden Party pack which was just perfect for this theme!  I used the Umbrella Die set and the Clouds and Raindrops die set to cut my raindrops and cloud, as well as the umbrella. The cute little heart flowers are also from the Clouds and Raindrops die set.  Aren't they cute?  For the stem for them I used the Happy Birthday balloon  string die.   I added frost Stickles to the raindrops.  I used the Ornamental Crosses die set to cut some of the little flowers, and  I nestled them in among blades of grass from the Grass Border Die.  For the sun, I used the Matting Circles die for the rays, and the circle from the Recipe Card and Tags die set.  The base is Neenah Solar White 140lb card stock and here is the cool dp on the insides.

The center panel is a little planting guide and I cut out the seed packs from the design paper as well.  The center panel is soft enough to write a message on, or you could write on the back.  

We are supposed to start getting showers tonight and even some more violent storms later this week, and all I can think of is all the things we've planted already and looking forward to seeing the new plants pop their heads up!  

I hope you enjoyed this quick card!  While I absolutely adore flowers, I am reminded of  Isaiah 40:8

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 

Even in spring time, when the whole earth seems to be coming forth with new life, all things have their season, and then they fade away.  There is only One who is eternal, and that is God Himself, and His Word endures forever. He can be trusted, for He is good, and loves us as His most precious creation.  I'm finding that the older I get, and the closer I get to that time when He'll either call me home, or I'll meet Him in the air... His trustworthiness and all of His eternal attributes mean more to me than ever before.  I know His Word is true, and I'm totally resting in it!  I do hope you are too!

Blessings,