Happy Birthday from your # 1 Fan!

Hello friends!   I hope you all are doing well!  I have one more fun card made with this month's release at ODBD!  I decided to make a masculine birthday card using the All Star Jersey set and the matching Sports Jersey Dies.  I chose the ODBD Plum Pizzazz Paper pack for this card.  I also used past releases: Sparkling Stars Dies, Balloons & Streamers Dies, Small  Bow Dies, and the Happy Birthday Script Die.  I stamped, colored and die cut the shirt, and then using different swatches of the paper, I cut the balloons, streamers, stars and little bow, as well as the happy birthday script  I didn't feel the lettering showed up well on my plaid paper so I added a strip of white and I like it this way better.  I finished with a little bow with a star in the center.  

If you know me, you know I don't do an over-abundance of masculine cards, so you can imagine how much I need a couple in my stash!  I love these fun sets and they have so many possibilities.  I think I will be using them a lot.

Blessings to you, and thank you so much for stopping by!

Welcome to the August ODBD release!

 Hello friends!  Welcome to the August ODBD release!  This month we are celebrating all things sports!  It's a big release, and there's something for almost everyone!  I hope you have had a chance to see the release, but if not you can see it HERE.

As always, we do have prizes and here are the details:

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 Gift Code to the ODBD Website  just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until August 2, 2017 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 August 3rd so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

For my card above, I used the ODBD Center Step card set and the ODBD Old Glory paper pack to decorate the fancy fold.   I used the new Football Stamp/Die Duo set, as well as the All Star Jersey set, and I used the Football die that comes with the Football set, and the Sports Jerseys Dies that coordinates with the All Star Jersey set.  I also used past releases: Double Stitched Rectangles dies, Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies, and the Sparkling Stars dies for the little star on my twine bow.  I stamped the jersey twice, one on white and once on a blue paper from the Old Glory pack.  I stamped the shirt's sentiment on the white shirt, and I then paper pieced the white over the blue after cutting out the pieces I wanted to leave blue.  I stamped the footballs and die cut them with the included die, then I colored them with Copics.  I stamped the verse on white card stock and cut with the Pennant Flag die and layered that on my rectangle die cuts.  I "hung" the pennant from some twine which I topped with a tiny red star.  This was a fun card to make!

For my second card, I again used the Football Stamp/Die Duo set,  and the Old Glory Paper Pack.  I stamped my sentiment and cut with a Double Stitched Square die, and matted that with a regular Squares die cut from the design paper.  I used the football set to stamp the football, and colored with Copics, then die cut with the included die.  For my hand made goal, I used a Double Stitched Rectangle and a regular Rectangles die to cut a frame, and cut off the parts I did not need.  I finished off with a Grass Lawn die, cut from white.  While this is rather CAS, really it has enough layers to be interesting and yet is still quick and easy to put together.  

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To recap, here are the NEW products I used today:

That's it for me today.  I know if you have kids, grandkids, or even friends with kids, you will find some fun stamps in this month's release.  Be sure to check out the rest of the DT's creations for lots of inspiration:

Cathy * Grace(me) * Angie * Sandee * Kathy 

* Diana * Dawn * Lisa * Chris * Lori * Helen

Thanks for stopping by... 

Blessings,

Hello!

Hello friends!  I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Lord's day!  It's a beautiful day here in NC!  

Today I have another card to share using the July ODBD release.  It's pretty CAS for me but I actually like how it came out.

I used the newly released Hibiscus Dies, the Tropical Leaves Die, and past released Hello Die, Pierced Rectangle Dies, Double Stitched Rectangles, and Boho Bolds Paper Collection. 

So I thought I'd catch you up on what's going on in my life, as many have asked.  I am doing pretty well, though I am having lots of pain issues, which presumably are from the medication I am on, and perhaps some from just being out of shape and old.  :(   I have been cleared to go until Nov. without seeing my Oncologist unless I develop symptoms.  The frustrating part of that is... what are symptoms?  If I called him every time I have a new pain he would be my personal Dr. and have no time for anyone else!  So... I wait and pray.

On another front, my hubby has been having some concerning symptoms where he feels like he is passing out, and sometimes does go to the ground, though he has not totally lost consciousness.   So he has been undergoing multiple tests, including a 30 day heart monitor.  The stress test did show a problem and the Cardiologist gave him some meds to stabilize his heart rate and make it beat more efficiently, and there is a procedure he will need to have done when the Dr can figure out which one of three possible  causes  is the reason for his symptoms.  He officially retired on June 2 and we haven't hardly had time to realize it, having lots of family here for 11 days, and with Alan having these tests.  It's been a busy time, but it was so special to spend this time with family from CA whom we don't get to see very often!   Our goals for the next few  months are to get our house ready to list, and get it on the market.  We have purchased land in TN near to our daughter and her family and look forward to building a retirement house there whenever the timing is right.  We have been traveling up there nearly weekly trying to tend to things there, and can't wait for this next adventure to begin! 

So as you can see.... there's no lack of excitement here!  But we are praising the Lord for His hand of protection upon us and continue to seek His leading in all these things.  We continue to thank you for your prayers.... they mean so much.... and we do covet them!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Grace

Welcome to the ODBD July Release!

 Hello friends!  Welcome to the July ODBD release!  Our theme this month is going tropical!   If you have not had a chance to see the full release yet, you can do so HERE.

As always, we have prizes! 

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 Gift Code to the ODBD Website  just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until July 2, 2017 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 July 3rd so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

For my first card above I used the new Bon Voyage stamp set for my image and sentiment, and I used the Hibiscus Dies, Tropical Leaves Dies, and the Ferns Dies, as well as past releases, Lattice Background Die and Mini Tags.  I used papers from the Boho Bold Paper Pack for the blue background behind the lattice, and the big tropical leaves.  To create my hibiscus flowers, I played with a couple different techniques.  The large pink flower was colored using Derwent Inktense pencils, which are colored pencils which when you wet with water, the result is permanent ink.  I did this on watercolor paper, colored in the die's embossed veins, then used water to draw that out, leaving the veins darker and the surrounding area various shades lighter.  For the pink and yellow flower I sponged Memento Lux ink in to the center of the flower, following the embossed area of the flower die, then sponged the edges very lightly in pink ink, lightly drawing it inward on the petal, and then I took clear water on a brush and drew it more in toward the center, allowing the pink to penetrate into the embossed veins on it's own.  For the solid yellow flower  I just watercolored with my  cake  watercolors, using a tiny brush to add the veins.  I did a lot of hand embossing and curling of petals on my piercer to shape the blossoms, and for a couple of them, I snipped the blossoms a bit deeper toward the center so I could overlap petals or roll them a bit differently than the die allowed.  The yellow and pink one is not snipped at all and represents the die exactly as it is, and I scrunched up the petals before gluing.  I added the die cut stamens to which I had added flower soft and Mudd Puddles Maui to the centers.  I added some tropical leaves and ferns and stamped the sentiment, then die cut that with a Mini Tag.  It is tucked in with little pink satin ribbon.

For my next card, I used the new Bon Voyage stamp set, the Ferns dies, and the Fragnipani  Dies.  I also used the past released ODBD Custom Ovals dies, Pierced Ovals,  and the ODBD Baha Bold Paper Pack.   The scene is water colored on watercolor paper which I masked with an ODBD Oval die cut.  Once that was dry I added the front palm tree image and the distant palm trees using VersaMark ink.  I cut several ferns from the new Ferns die set, and a Fragnipani flower,  which I water colored and curled on my piercer.  I stamped the sentiment from the Bon Voyage set and die cut with the ODBD Custom pierced ovals, and matted with an ODBD Custom Oval die cut of paper from the Boho Bold pack.  I added one crystal to the center of my flower.  I also stamped an extra palm tree and hand cut the middle greenery so I could pop it up over my sentiment. 

I hope you enjoyed my samples today!  To recap, here are the NEW ODBD sets and links that I used today:

Now, here are the links to the other designer's blogs.  Just leave each a little love for your chance to win!

Cathy * Sandee * Lisa * Dawn * Angie * Grace * Lori * Chris * Diana

I have a lot going on at my house right now but am doing pretty well!  I continue to covet your prayers, and now please keep my husband in your prayers as well as he is having some concerning symptoms and having a lot of tests done this week.  Thanks so  very much!!!

Blessings,

Welcome to the ODBD June Release!

 Hello friends!  Welcome to the ODBD June release!  I cannot believe summer is here already, and with June comes all those beautiful June weddings! Well Our Daily Bread Designs has some wonderful stamps and dies to help us with these cards!  As always, there will be prizes for this release:
 

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 Gift Code to the ODBD Website  just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until June 2, 2017 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 June 3rd so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

If you have not had the chance to view the entire release, you can do so HERE. 

For my first card, I  used the new stamp set, Long Lasting Love for the gorgeous cake image.  I stamped with gray ink, colored with watercolor paints, and hand cut the image.  I used the ODBD Tri-fold Card kit (in white) to create my card base.  I used the brand new Wedding Wishes Paper Pack to decorate the card, and then I added the gorgeous new die cut, Scalloped Chain,  and mounted that on the front of my tri-fold, extending it all the way across the opening to create an A2 sized front.  You could see through this entire panel, and I wanted to use the new Mr & Mrs. die on the front, but wanted it to show up better than it did directly on the die cut background.  So I added a square of the design paper, then the Mr & Mrs die cut.  I matted with a dark gray square (from the Wedding Wishes pack) on the other side of the die cut to finish it off nicely when the card is open.  On my inside panel I cut squares of two shades of gray and one of patterned paper from the wedding paper pack.  I left my center pop up panel blank to add a sentiment when I need it, but you could always stamp that panel or hand write on it before you adhere it.

Here is another view of the tri-fold card and how I altered it by adding a peek-a-boo layer with the Scalloped Chain Background die cut.  To finish the card I used three tiny blossoms which I cut from the Roses die set, and I added Stickles and some Wink of Sella for a little glitz.  I mounted the blossoms and leaves from the Fancy Foliage die set on to a tiny little white satin bow.

For my next card, again I used the Mr & Mrs Die cut, the Long Lasting Love stamp set, the Scalloped Chain Background die, as well as past releases Vintage Borders Die and Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies, and for the flowers, I used Bitty Blossoms and the tiny die in the Roses die set, and a Fancy Foliage die.

I used a silver paper to back my Scalloped Circles die cut in white, and I heat embossed the cake image and sentiment from the Long Lasting Love set in silver.  I hand cut the cake and used a little watercolor paint to give a touch of color.  I die cut the Vintage Label from white and mounted that on the background die, then added the sentiment tucked under it just a bit, popped up the cake on foam dimensionals, and added my flowers and ribbon.  The finishing touch was tiny pearls.  This card was simple to make and is very mail-able too!  We all love that, right?

To recap, here are the NEW ODBD PRODUCTS I used today:

In order to not miss a chance at one of the prizes, be sure to visit my DT sisters and leave them a little love in the form of a comment!  Here are the links:

Cathy * Grace * Angie * Dawn * Chris 

* Sandee * Helen * Julie * Robin * Lori

* Lisa * Diana * Kathy * Sabrina

Thanks so much for stopping by!

May God bless you all!

There's Nothing Like a Flower.... or a kitten!

Hello friends!   Don't you just love spring?  As the cold days fade away, everything begins it's cycle of new life!  The grass is getting green, flowers are blooming, birds are busily building nests and the song birds are singing away!  I just love these kind of days!  

Perhaps a little of that inspired my card today using the new April release from Our Daily Bread Designs.  My images (from the Lovely Flower set) are stamped with VersaMark on five vanilla card stock panels, which were cut with the Fancy Fan Die, and then I heat embossed the images with gold.  I arranged the fan and adhered it to a background made from die cutting a vanilla` panel with the Lattice Background Die. I matted that on to a top folded vanilla A2 card.  I created the rose using the new Rose Dies, and the Rose Leaves Dies.    I sponged pink on the edges and soft yellow in the center of my rose petals and used my large ball embossing stylus to create the petal shapes.  I curled them around my piercing tool and glued them together to create my rose.  I added some little crystal flakes  to give a little shimmer to my petals.  I sponged some green on to my leaves and the flourish from the Fancy Foliage Die set, and tucked in a tiny gold cord bow.  I love the softness of how this came out.  I was trying for a Victorian looking fan and the rose just had to go with it.  I left it without a sentiment for now as I'm not sure yet how I will use this.  It is very versatile and could be used for many occasions I think.

So that's it for me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I have been having fun playing with my new kitten.  Sadly, we lost Ricky, our almost 14 year old cat on Jan. 31 to cancer,  and I have missed him so much!  We found a litter of Ragdoll kittens and I was totally hooked!  Here is my new little kitty.  We were told he was a she, and named her Annie, but when I took him to the vet, I found out otherwise!  I think we will name him Andy, but still not sure!  He is adorable, very loving, but very mischievious and a real rascal with a ton of personality!  What boy's names do you think of when you see this sweet face?

Or perhaps this one... which shows a bit of his personality... he's about to pounce!

Or this one... in his favorite sleeping place

Leave me a comment with your suggestion for a boy's name!  I can't wait to see your ideas!

Blessings,

Welcome to the April ODBD Release!

Hello friends!  Welcome to the April Our Daily Bread Designs release!  If you have not seen the entire release you can do so HERE.   Once again... spring is in the air and the team has designed some amazing creations!  As always, Kelley is giving away prizes for this release:

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 Gift Code to the ODBD Website  just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until April 2, 2017 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 April 3rd so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

For my first card above, I used the new Lovely Flowers for my sentiment, and I used the fabulous new released dies: Lattice Background, Roses, Rose Leaves, and the past released dies: Fancy Foliage and Vintage Labels.

I simply folded a top fold A2 card, die cut the lattice background from the same white card stock, die cut the Vintage Label from pink card stock and sponged with worn lipstick distress ink.  I stamped the sentiment and die cut the panel with a smaller Vintage Label and popped each layer up on the lattice background.  To make my floral spray, I die cut several of each size petals from the Roses Die set, sponged with worn lipstick, spritzed with water, and scrunched up.  I left them to dry all scrunched up.  Once dry, I opened them and using my large ball embossing tool and a mat, I worked the petals until they cupped a bit and then I layered them up by size.  I made the bud by turning several of the smallest petals around my straight piercing tool to create a circular shape.  I glued each petal over the last, overlapping just a bit.   I cut a bit off the bottom and glued the bud to the inside of the rose.  I made one little blossom the same way but only used a few petals.  I die cut several leaves from the Rose Leaves die set and a flourish from the Fancy Foliage die set. I felt the flowers needed center stage so I left off any further embellishments. 

For this next card (below) I used the new Lovely Flowers, Fancy Fan, Roses, Rose Leaves, Lattice Background, as well as the past released Happy Birthday Script die.

For this card I stamped the floral designs with Real Red and die cut the panels with the gorgeous new Fancy Fan die.  This die is so intricate and can be used several ways.  It can be used to create a stand alone fan,  or to add a fan to a card, and it can also be used to create borders and even the images and sentiments can be cut with the die in such a way that there is a fancy label type cut around them.  Watch the DT this month for more ideas!!!

Anyway... this card is a center step card.  I used real red behind the lattice background die, and then die cut 4 floral images and 2 sentiments from the Lovely Flowers set and put them together to form a fan.  I popped up the fan over the lattice on foam dimensionals. 

To create the rose this time, I did not spritz with water or scrunch up.  Instead, I just worked the fibers over really well with my large ball stylus.  It took a lot to shape these flowers because this card stock is very heavy, but the look I think is very pretty.  I did cut my petals apart to create this rose, and I'm pretty happy with how it came out looking like a rose.  I sponged the edges with fired brick distress ink, used my piercing tool to curl the edges of the petals down a bit, and I die cut 3 of the leaves and sponged them lightly as well.  I adhered this rose with hot glue since it is large and needed to be secure.

Here is another view of the easel card.  I added the happy birthday script die cut and added a white panel inside for my message.

To recap, here are the NEW products I used today: 

Here are the links to the rest of the Design Team.  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog so you don't miss a chance to win one of the prizes!

Dawn * Cathy * Grace * Lisa * Angie * Kathy 

* Sandee * Robin * Sabrina * Julie 

 * Diana * Chris * Lori * Helen

Thanks so very much for stopping by!

Blessings,