Thursday, August 30, 2018

Blessed are those who mourn...


...for they shall be comforted.  I am so thankful for this scriptural promise!  Last week was a very difficult week.  The 20th was the 4th anniversary of my mother's passing, and on that very same day my sweet uncle passed away.  He was the husband of my mother's youngest sister, and a Baptist preacher/minister for as long as I can remember.  My heart is heavy for my auntie and cousins and all of those who are grieving his passing.  


I love sympathy cards with scriptural sentiments, but it seems even more appropriate than ever under this circumstance.  I am wondering how many times in a lifetime of ministry my uncle might've used these words to comfort his grieving parishioners.  I pray that they now will bring comfort to his own family. 

Usually I use more neutral colors for sympathy cards but for some reason this time a pop of bold color felt essential.  There's also the subtle sparkle of diluted Delicata ink on the floral focal point and the edges of the sentiment panel.  It brings some elegance to an otherwise relatively simple card.


And here's the inside.

These are the supplies I used for this project:

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Thursday, August 16, 2018

You've Been On My Mind!


We just got back from a trip to Upper Michigan, and although it was hotter than normal for there this time of year, it still wasn't quite as blazing hot as Florida!  The nights were cool, even chilly, and Fall felt just around the corner.  It made me yearn for warm yellows and oranges so I reached for some distress oxides, a stencil and some cinnamon colored polkadot designer paper for today's Stamp Simply project, which will be hand-delivered to a friend who was recently hospitalized.  


I layered several colors of distress oxide inks onto some white card stock for the focal panel background, splashing drops of water, blotting with a paper towel, then stenciling on some lacy flowers with the brighter colors.  Next I diluted some metallic inks with water and splashed them on with a paintbrush.  The edges were sponged with regular tea-dye distress ink.  The sentiment panel was cut with the teardrop die from another print from the designer paper, then backed with a classic circle to allow the brighter color to peek from underneath.  A cluster of bitty blossoms with sparkly centers add a pop of color to match the horizontal scalloped border which is a punch-out from the same designer paper pad.


For the inside I repeated the polkadots and a little bit of stenciling on kraft-colored card stock for a more subtle, easier to write on background, adding more splashes of gold and the distress oxide orange.  The sentiments outside and in were stamped using the Tim Holtz platform and shimmery Delicata copper ink, in keeping with the relatively monochromatic color scheme. 

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Thursday, August 9, 2018

A Pinwheel Card, Just for You!


I found another tutorial online that's great for 8 x 8 double-sided papers.  I just love how simple but impressive this pinwheel card is!  The tutorial uses a diagonal score board, but it's easy to make the card without it.  Just measure in three inches from each corner on all four sides, then align the scores diagonally on your regular scor-pal, going from the mark at the top left to the mark on the bottom right. repeating on each side.   That's the only modification from the video that was necessary.


I made a really narrow belly band with a small square center sentiment because I didn't want to cover up the pinwheel formed where the sides intersect when the card is closed.  There's a hint of the double-sided paper on the outside.  I love this busy little floral print, which looks really pretty with the contrast of bright white for a sentiment and your own message inside.

Here are the supplies I used for today's project, all from Stamp Simply:
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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Just A Note, again!


As much as I have been into fabric lately, I really love this pretty rose print from the Miss Betty designer paper line.  The fresh, feminine colors, punch outs and vintage office/school-themed designs really appeal to me.  Today's Stamp Simply card was inspired entirely by the tiny notebook paper and a card sketch that I saw on Pinterest.  

A little bit of fussy cutting, die cutting, and "sanding" around the edges of a punch-out with an emory board and this card was done!


There's another punch-out on the inside which is otherwise very low-key, with lots of white space for a handwritten note of your own.

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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Just a Note!


Today's Stamp Simply card was inspired by envelopes and postmarks.  I've made a similar card with this paper pad and image but I adore it so here it is again.  Hopefully this one reminds you of an envelope flap with a letter tucked underneath, and a photo too, having just been opened with a few words penned inside.  I just LOVE this paper and these vivid colors!



Here's a peek at the inside.  That blueprint ink is the perfect match for this paper.
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Thursday, July 19, 2018

Sweet Pleats


I have had this Stamp Simply card brewing in my head for a little while.  (I suppose it started with all those cartridge pleats!) It came out so sweet and would be perfect for a young girl but would work just as well for an older one who's young at heart!  Reminds me of some of the Easter dresses I wore when I was little!


Here you can see the plaid paper peeking from underneath the pleats.  To make them I used a full 6 x 6 sheet of the floral paper, scoring at alternating 1/4 and 1/2 inch intervals.  Once the paper was scored, I cut it in half, then trimmed it to glue the two together and make the pleat panel wider.  The plaid paper was cut into strips 1/2 inch wide to fit perfectly on the inside of each pleat. Once all the pieces were glued in place the top of the folds could be secured and the edge hidden under the "belt."  


The top of the "dress" down to the belt is glued to a panel which is then adhered to the card front with dimensional adhesive dots. That way the bottom of the pleats is left free to fall into relaxed folds, which looks more natural than if they'd each been glued individually.


Here's the scripture sentiment on the inside.  I had originally thought to put a sentiment on the card front (hence the asymmetry) but then decided to leave the front completely unadorned save the big bow on the belt.

These are the supplies I used for today's card:
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Thursday, July 12, 2018

Friendship


I love it when a card practically puts itself together!  Sometimes all of the elements just seem to come easily into place and perfectly fit the circumstances.  This card made with supplies from Stamp Simply was one of those cards.

Our Bible study group is a women's group called "Friends for the Journey."  We were so excited when one of our members, a military wife, moved back to our area from assignment in Hawaii. Their family has only been back a few months but the Navy has decided to immediately send them to Whidbey Island.  We are completely stunned and so sad to see them go.  Our group is gathering for lunch to enjoy some food and fellowship before sending her on her way once again...once again with the hope that she will be back here with us before too very long! 


I love the sentiment on this tag, one of the punch-out elements in the Miss Betty designer paper pack.  It is a great reminder of the importance of both our earthly friendships and our heavenly relationship. I hope that in whatever circumstance Leslie might find herself, she will feel the strength and support of her "Friends for the Journey" and the presence and power of God.  Thankfully, as He promised, we are never alone.  


When Life feels unfamiliar and overwhelming, it is a comfort to cling to this scripture from Jeremiah and know that His promises are true, there IS hope and He has a future planned for us.  

Safe journey, Leslie!  We love you. You are a blessing!  xo

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Thursday, July 5, 2018

It's All About Faith


The paper pad I used for this card, Simple Stories' "Faith," is what inspired today's card.  Stamp Simply has several wonderful sentiments about faith.  I wanted this card to feature a favorite scripture from Hebrews and to inspire its recipient to keep believing.  


I kept the layout really simple but popped one strip of designer paper up to give a little more interest.  


Here's a peek at the inside.

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Thursday, June 28, 2018

Enjoy the Little Things!


Do you subscribe to any card-making newsletters?  The most recent SCS newsletter contained a link to this Double Triangle Card tutorial, so I had to try it for today's card for Stamp Simply!  I love that this interesting fold uses one piece of 8.5 x 11 card stock, sliced diagonally in half to make two cards.  By reversing the direction of the folds you can change the orientation of the card. It's kinda fun and different.

The real trick with this design is to make sure that the focal point is adhered only on one of those diagonal panels.  Otherwise the card won't open.


It offers lots of opportunity to use up those pretty prints of coordinating paper.  I am really enjoying this Authentique Seafarer paper and had to squeeze in one more sorta patriotic card since Summer is officially here and it's almost the 4th of July.  I was going for a nautical, sandy beach/splashing waves/sea salt and spray kind of a feel.  Some fishing net and sea shells would be awesome on a design like this too!


If you look closely you can see that the sentiment is stamped with a mixture of the Delicata silver and gold inks.  That seemed to match the grey-beige colors in the paper better than either color alone.  I also rubbed the ink pads onto my craft mat and used lots of water with an old paint brush to splatter the colors onto the white card stock.  After all, the beach is pretty messy!  ;)

I hope you enjoy your weekend!  And if you are one of my fellow Americans, Happy Independence Day!  

Here are the supplies I used for today's card:
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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Happy Birthday!


Today's easel card for Stamp Simply was inspired by my mom! Today would have been her 90th birthday were she still living.  She loved books, and in fact, worked for many years at the Westlake Branch of the Calcasieu Parish Library.  She had a wonderful collection of books on a wide variety of subjects.  There were always stacks of books on the stool that sat beside her rocker and on her nightstand.  She kept one at arm's reach in just about every room in the house, including the kitchen!  She especially loved cookbooks!


There was a special of Little Women on TV not long ago, and I was really excited to watch it, mainly to see the costumes (in the midst of sewing my own 1860s attire, you might remember)!  I look at this vignette differently now than I would have before, noticing the details of the trim on their dresses, the collars and cuffs, the way their hair is worn.  When I was stamping, I was happy to find a way to nestle things together without having to cover anything significant, because this paper is SO lovely!


Here is a detail shot of the floral cluster.  The green of the leaves, orange of the flowers, the yellow burlap string, yellow pearls and vibrant blue faux canvas ribbon bring all of the colors of the paper together into the embellishments, while the tulle and lace add femininity and softness.  


The birthday greeting on the front is echoed by the traditional greeting that peeks from inside when the easel card is propped open.

Here are the supplies I used, all from Stamp Simply:

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