Roses by my Window

Stampin' Sisters in Christ . . . hearts

2012-01-22T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's hostess is our founding mother :) Kris (she's younger than I am) who selected this verse from Proverbs 3:3 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Her challenge is for you to make a heart stand out in your card or project.

Our sponsor this week is Digital Delights by Louby Lou and one randomly selected winner will receive three free images from that store. You can find more details as well as Kris' thoughts and the other creations by the design team members on our home page here.

I don't have one central heart really, but a string of three of them on the twine around my CAS card. I added the twine to illustrate the 'binding' portion of the verse Kris chose and also used the dog image for faithfulness. My dog is very faithful to me, he's lying at my feet now while I type up this post.

Unseen but ever more faithful than any of my pets or family is the Lord, His love and faithfulness is written on the tablet of my heart and my name is written in the Lamb's book of life for eternity. That thought gives me great joy, a joy only matched when another person who is lost turns to Christ and gets their name written in there as well.

For my card I used a simple dollar stamp I bought long ago at either Michael's or Hobby Lobby, I cannot remember. The dog is actually holding a bone, but I masked out the bone so he could be grasping the 'v' of the word love instead. For the letters I used an alphabet die recently released by Papertrey Ink; I can see myself using this die a lot. Thanks for looking and WE look forward to seeing your 'heart'felt creations in the gallery this week.

Stamps: dollar stamp for big box store
Ink: Memento black
Paper: white, random DP
Other: PTI canvas impression plate, twine, PTI alphabet die, copic markets

Stampin' Sisters in Christ . . . new!

2012-01-15T04:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is my dear friend and earnest Christ follower Traci, who selected this verse from Revelations 21:5 "And He who sits on the throne said 'Behold I am making all things new.' And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true.'"

Her challenge is to use something new on your card or project this week. It can be a new stamp, paper, embellishment, or a new technique or idea that is new to you! Just have fun with your creation!

What a great challenge in this first, newest month of the year, use something new! God has made all things new and we get our chance to create when we sit down with our stamps and ink. I did order a new stamp set (or two) for myself for Christmas and am pleased to pull out this new stamp from Flourishes. I love looking at the birds and squirrels outside the kitchen window, little spots of color and activity in the winter whiteness.

I used prismacolor pencils on PTI fine linen paper and edged the border of the image with gold stickles, alternating layers of cream and fine linen paper with a touch of patterned paper from Stampin' Up. I did have a lot of fun with this, enjoyed the coloring and the quality of all the supplies I was using. That's our hope for you this week is that you can find some time to sit and create and have fun. Show us something new!

Stamps: Flourishes Snow Wonderful and coordinating die
Ink: memento black
Paper: PTI fine linen, vintage cream, SU patterned paper (retired)
Other: prismacolor pencils, gold stickles, cuttlebug embossing folder, satin ribbon, MS branch punch, PTI button

Stampin' Sisters in Christ first challenge of 2012 . . . Others

2012-01-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, wehre all of our challenges are based upon scripture. This week our sponsor is The Craft's Meow, you can find more information about TCM on the main page, and see the other creations by the design team.

This week I am the hostess. The verse I have selected is from Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." My challenge is for you to create a card to let someone else know you are thinking about them. It can be a bible verse, a real thinking of you sentiment, sympathy, or hello.

I have some thoughts to share about this verse, if you care to red them.

Welcome to a new year. I don’t know about you, but 2011 was a tough one for our household and for many of my friends. When my husband and I sat down to look at the year in retrospect we realized we’re both tired.

But what you put into your mind and heart influences your outlook on life. This past week two of my children attended Passion 2012 in Atlanta, a gathering of more than 40,000 college aged people who worshipped the Lord and pledged to try to end human trafficking in their lifetime. Due to one person’s generosity, a live video feed enabled us to watch the sessions too and we were brought to tears by the stories of the individuals through film or narrative, representing the 27 million people around the globe who are enslaved or in human bondage.

I had a rough year? By my standards I did, yes. But I wasn’t sold into slave labor. I didn’t watch one of my friends get killed by a pimp. I don’t work all day for a crust of bread, a cup of tea and a beating at the end of it all.

I have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast there fore as it continues in Ephesians Chapter 2, verse 10, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I have work to do this year. Yes, we might be tired but I need to pick myself up and continue in the work the Lord has prepared for me to do, because my tiredness is nothing compared to 99% of the rest of the world. And before I ever watched that conference or heard those speakers I had selected this motto for myself for this year, to think of others before myself. To remember that reaching out to others, that remembering their needs and their wants above my own is the surest cure for the blues or the self-centered thinking that pulls me down in a whirlpool of self-pity.

So this week’s challenge is based on Philippians 2:3-4 and the goal is for you to make a card to send to someone who needs a lift. The general thought is a thinking of you card, but it can contain a scripture verse or any sentiment that conveys that your thoughts or your prayers are with that other person. That’s my biggest new year’s ambition, what is yours?

At the Passion 2012 conference the organizers challenged the college students there to raise $1 million to help end human trafficking. These poor students (very few college students I know have any money) raised more than $3 million in three days. If they can do that what can we do in the name of Jesus Christ this year?

I made two different types of cards for this challenge, one with my favorite duck stamp from Hambo and another with a wonderful bible verse I recently received off off a blog win from Our Daily Bread Designs, Scripture verse #3 collection. I like each and every verse in the set. I haven't stamped since last year prior to Christmas, it took a sketch to help me at least get started, so I found one at Mojo Monday, number 222.

We do hope you can find time to play along this week. Thanks for looking.

Merry Christmas from Stampin Sisters in Christ . . . challenge 120

2011-12-18T04:30:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This is our last challenge until January 8th of 2012 as our design team members are going to take a break for family and to celebrate Christmas. We have enjoyed having you with us through our challenges this year and look forward to a fresh start creating in 2012!

This week's hostess is Mieje from the sunny south with our Christmas challenge. Her verse for today is from Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." For her challenge, she wishes you to create a Christmas card or project that is Christian, image and/or sentiment must have the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Our sponsor this week is Our Daily Bread Designs and one randomly selected participant will receive a $15 gift card to their store.

Please visit the home page at Stampin' Sisters in Christ to read Miesje's thoughts and to view the creations by the rest of the SSIC design team. I know they all wish you a Merry Christmas as well!

For my card I used an image of the three kings I purchased long ago from Cornish Heritage Farms, with a background creating by sponging around a Layers of Color stencil. Then I selected a verse from a Christmas sentiments stamp set by Papertrey Ink and played around with glitter and embellishments. I had fun creating this, hope you get a chance to play along too.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 119 . . . birthday!

2011-12-11T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is sweet MariLynn who has selected this verse from Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Her challenge is for you to, in honor of Christ's birthday, make a birthday card. You can read MariLynn's thoughts about her chosen verse here as well as view the rest of the creations by the design team. We hope you can play along with us this week! I do apologize that I haven't had any time lately to make comments, life has ramped up and gotten busier than ever. I am hoping I will have more time to comment in 2012.

In our family we are doing an Advent wreath once a week. It is supposed to happen Sunday nights, but it gets pushed to Monday sometimes and last week was on Tuesday because of our schedules, but we fit it in every week. We light a candle and read and discuss scripture and sing a few carols. Then our daughter gets to have Christmas cookies when all is done; that was one of the parts that my older kids liked best when they were little as well.

I used to like the cookies and the decorating and those minor details much more when I was younger too, but every year that passes I'm more interested in the bible verses and the wonder of the story. They are better than old, familiar friends, those bible verses because they are always true and hold out such hope and promise no matter what life situation you're facing. I hope that you are able to slow down a little and enjoy the Christmas story and the wonder that the God of this universe would send his only son down to earth to live among us, Emmanuel, God with us, my favorite name for the Lord. Wishing you blessings this Christmas.

Just thought I'd show the selection of pencils I used to color in that little Lockhart image. Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Stamps: Lockhart (lemons) and PTI (sentiment)
Ink: memento black
Other: prismacolor pencils, spellbinders, ribbon, MS edge punch

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 118 . . . angels

2011-12-04T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is a good friend Lisa, who has selected this verse from Matthew 1:20-22 ""But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' which means, 'God with us.'"

For her challenge, she would like you to use an angel on your project. Our lovely sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. Please do visit the home page for Stampin' Sisters in Christ to see the creations by the rest of the design team and to read Lisa's devotional on her chosen verse.

My card is CAS as we have been traveling for the holidays and then just catching up on life after our return. Although it would be terrifying there are times when I wish an angel or someone would appear and tell me which direction to take in life, don't you? Not that those directions would suddenly make life easy. I know that just trying to live life the way the bible describes we ought to conduct ourselves is hard enough. Lately though I've listened to a series of sermons from our old church wherein the pastor tells us that we're not striving to live this Christian life on our own. Christ lives within us. He has the resurrection power. He who has begun a work in us will be faithful to complete it. That means the work is not our own, not all our own effort. I am glad to pass the baton on occasion and admit that I do not possess within myself to change a situation no matter how much I might desire to do so. I can rely on someone far more powerful than I to do the work.

I pray you find a way to rest a bit in this holiday season and think about the verse Lisa has selected and what it means in your own life. Thanks for looking, we hope you can play along this week.

Stamps: Hero Arts (angel), Papertrey Ink (verse or sentiment), Waltzingmouse (little star image)
Ink: Encore silver and SU ballet blue, black
Paper: white and silver
Other: ribbon, rhinestones, silver twinkle embossing powder, silver cord

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 116 . . . Praise

2011-11-20T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is our beloved sister Rebekka who has selected this verse from Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Her challenge is to make a card that praises our God and Savior.

My creation this week is actually a junior legal notepad cover; the notepad can be used to keep track of prayer requests or as a thankfulness journal thanking God for the daily blessings he bestows.

I heard something this week on the radio that put Rebekka's challenge and verse in mind.

When I was a child one of the hymns we sang often at church was called "Now Thank We All Our God." The first two verses are as follows:

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.

Notice especially the first verse, how it is filled with praise to our Lord! Until this past week though, I never had heard the story of the man who penned those lyrics.

His name was Martin Rinkart and he was a provincial clergyman in Ellenburg, Saxony, during the thirty years war. In addition to the calamities associated with any conflict, in 1637 the plague hit his village and in that one year 8,000 people died, including Rinkart's wife. He alone conducted more than 4,000 funerals for the people of that area, in one year. Then the plague was followed by famine, followed by foreign troops demanding 'tribute.' The list or troubles never seems to end.

Like Job, if anyone had cause to whine or bury their head in their hands and sob aloud, it was Rinkart. Yet the hymn you see printed above was his response. As much trouble as we face in our lives, it would be hard to come up with a list as impressive as Rinkart's or Job's. And what is our response? Job's story and Rinkart's story that I heard on the radio, give me some food for thought as to my response when I am facing my own short list of troubles.

Our sponsor this week is Pizzazz Aplenty and you need to visit that shop, some very cool items are in stock. And please do visit our home page where you can read Rebekka's thoughts on her chosen verse and see some great creations from the rest of the design team.

Thanks for looking, hope you can play along!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs (border strip), Clear Dollar Stamps (sentiment), Rubber Stamp Tapestry (pine cones, branches, etc.)
Paper: Olive green, Echo Park DP, PTI vintage cream, Fine Linen, gold
Ink: black, Kiwi Kiss, True Thyme, tan, Ranger distress ink (sponged), chocolate (PTI)
Other: cuttlebug embossing folder, vintage corner die, ODBD die to match stamp

Divas by Design . . . monochrome

2011-11-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Does anyone else get that Simon and Garfunkel song stuck in their heads when they see that word? "kodachrome gives us those nice bright colors . . ."

If you didn't before, you do now! Our challenge for Divas by Design this fortnight is to make a monochromatic card! Any color you please, I chose bluish-purple all based on the DP I had in my stash. Reminds me of a wintery night, but the cozy house and friendship help warm up even the coldest winter.

Hope you can hop in and play! We look forward to seeing your creations!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse
Ink: black, silver
Paper: random scraps, purple and blue CS
Other: ribbon, MS chunky glitter, oval punch, silver EP, snowflake punch, Fiskars corner punch/embosser

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 115 . . . Give Thanks

2011-11-13T08:26:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Our lovely and friendly hostess this week is Traci, who selected this verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Our sponsor is SImon Says Stamp. And Traci's challenge is to Create a card or project that depicts gratitude...it can be an image of something you are grateful for, a scripture that evokes your gratitude, or it can be a card made especially for a person you would like to thank this time of year!!

Be sure to check out the home page to see the rest of the creations by the SSIC design team and to read Traci's devotional on her chosen scripture.

I am so glad that November rolls around. Every year I make the commitment to keep a thankfulness journal and every year I start with fresh zeal only to have that idea fall by the wayside as life's problems start to mount and my vision of all my blessings grows dim. November, because of Thanksgiving, is always a jolt to the negative mindset and provides fresh perspectives. Each week it seems that the scripture verse one of my Stampin' Sisters selects is just what I needed to hear.

This week I am reminded again of all that I have in my life and I chose this cute house image from Waltzingmouse Stamps because in this blustery and cold time of year I am very thankful that God has provided us with a home. It has well sealed windows too, but that's just a bonus. We have a roof over our heads and that is not to be taken for granted. What are you thankful for today?

Stamps: Waltzingmouse (house), MFP (sentiment)
Ink: Memento black
Paper: Echo Park, PTI
Other: copics, glitter, ribbon

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 114 . . .What's Old is New Again

2011-11-06T03:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I am the hostess this week and our wonderful sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps, offering a $15 gift certificate to one randomly selected participant in this week's challenge. My chosen verse is from Genesis 3:6 "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it."

My challenge is for you to dig into your stash and use one of your first, or oldest stamp sets to create your project.

Here are my thoughts for this week:

Eve took the apple. That is one of many important messages in this entire story from Genesis. Why is it significant?

My daughter recently visited a friend’s after school group at a local church. Among the other activities they gave the kids a mini-message. All the kids in the room, they were told, were good apples. But sometimes in life, bad apples come along who tempt us to do bad things. It isn’t our fault, it just happens. (I found out later that same week that the pastor of that church in a talk with his congregation had thrown the bible down on the floor by the pulpit and told them they wouldn’t be using it anymore.)

No, we’re not all born as good apples. We all are born with sin. Our greatest strivings, the best behavior we can possibly conjure up on our own cannot hope to reach the perfection that exists in God. And we alone fall to temptation; it is not the responsibility of other people. This line of thought leads to salvation by works, not by grace. “If I can just remain a good, unblemished apple . . . “ But we cannot earn our way to heaven. Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Notice how quickly the blame game started, all the way back in Genesis. Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve and even blamed God himself, by implication, for placing Eve there. But as it says in James 1:13 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.’”

Eve and Adam blamed others for their choice to disobey, to sin. And my daughter’s visit to that local church illustrates that the blame game, while as old as Adam and Eve, is still alive and well today. We still blame others or our circumstances for our own sins.

Insert your own name into that first sentence. “I” took the apple. I held temptation in my hand and then bit into it. I am a sinner.

There are so many problems with the blame game, but one primary issue is that as long as a person plays the blame game, “Its not my fault!” and can shove it onto another source, there is no acknowledgment that yes, I am a sinner. A sinner needs a savior. A sinner turns to Christ. Someone who blames other people or circumstances for their own actions not only gets stuck in a rut (a bad pattern for life) but never has a reason to turn to Christ for their salvation, they turn to excuses. Where have you turned?

This week’s challenge focuses on the fact that what is old is new again. Satan often recycles the same old messages and we don’t want to get caught up in the blame game that started way back in the garden of Eden! To remind us of this, pull out one of your oldest stamp sets, one of the first ones you ever bought and use it in a card.

I used the sketch from this past week's Mojo Monday challenge, I love their sketches, for me, a sketch gets the mojo going better than almost any other type of challenge. Mojo 213 right here.

Stamps: Garden Collage (SU)
Ink: Kaleidacolor Berry Blaze, Stazon brown, Antique Linen
Paper: PTI Autumn Rose and Fine Linen, Basic Grey Indian Summer
Other: spellbinders, prima roses, pearls, copic R99, PTI scarlet jewel satin ribbon, PTI tintype impression plate

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 113 . . .Fall colors

2011-10-30T04:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's hostess is the talented and busy! Lisa, who selected this verse from Isaiah 1:18, "Come let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Our sponsor this week is Lilly of the Valley with a ten pound gift certificate for one randomly selected participant in this week's challenge, which is to use Fall colors in your creation, crimson, gold, orange, or others.

You'll find the other creations by the design team and Lisa's thoughts on this verse on the home page here.

This verse is precious to me. This past week was full of missteps on my part. I'm really glad to close the page on last week and start a new one, fresh. I have taken my faults to the Lord and to those people involved in my missteps, when I could. My background growing up makes me want to continue to beat myself over the head with those faults. Especially since in my family of origin I was, and am, surrounded by people who don't seem to forgive.

But God always does forgive when we come to him in repentance. For me, personally, that is huge and at the same time, hard to grasp. When your life is filled with human examples of unforgiveness and fault-finding, it is easy to picture God with arms folded, frowning down at me or shaking His head in disappointment. He doesn't do that. Reminding myself of that and reminding myself of my identity in Christ is my daily struggle. Whatever your struggle is, take it to the Lord. God isn't like any parent, any person you know here on earth, He is perfect and as it says in Isaiah, when we repent of any wrongdoing, He is quick to forgive. I'm going to carry that verse with me this week and I'm so glad Lisa chose it.

Stamps: Layers of Color
Paper: Basic Grey Indian summer, chocolate, pumpkin, apricot, cream
Ink: brown stazon
Other: pearls, copics, ribbon, nestabilities

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop . . . Day 11: Decorated Gift Boxes

2011-10-27T00:01:00.002-04:00

Papertrey Ink October 2011 blog hop

2011-10-25T11:43:00.002-04:00

Hey peeps! Time for another PTI blog hop.

Instead of making a card this time, I made a 'whimsy' jar. I thought it would be interesting to recreate the inspiration photo as a pincushion. I originally got the idea for a pincushion whimsy jar from a pinterest photo Melissa Phillips had on her blog of a place in England that sold pincushion jars--basically recycled jam jars with a pincushion on top that makes a neat little sewing jar. Store the pins inside the jar, use the pincushion on top when you're sewing.

Rather than pay someone more than $20 for something I thought I could make myself, I tried it. This is my second attempt at this type of jar, the first one I posted about a week ago and I learned that if you tie the pincushion into sections with thread, like I did to mimic the pumpkin, then it doesn't lie as flush on the jar lid as the version that isn't tied. So just a tip there if you decide you'd like to try making one.

So no stamping on my project, but definitely burnt fingertips from the glue gun.

PTI supplies used were the Beautiful Blooms #3 dies, ric rac die, buttons, ribbon and felt.
Other supplies, fabric from stash, thread, lace, jam jar, pins, pearls, cuttlebug vintage die.

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop . . . Day Seven: Calendars//Stampin' Sisters in Christ 112

2011-10-23T00:01:00.011-04:00

Please note, I have split up my calendar post into three separate blog posts because I cannot fit all the photos into one post; I'm sure there is a fancy blogging trick to be able to do so, but I am not wise as to what that might be.

I have made an easel/box calendar. The top part is like an easel card, with the base to hold the calendar pages the easel. The bottom has two drawers, each able to hold six to seven calendar 'photos,' depending on their thickness (i.e. the number of embellishments you put on them).

I printed out a mini calendar for 2012 and that is the 'stopper' for the easel portion. A helpful forum member on splitcoast provided the calendar for 2012, her name is Cat on SCS and you can find the thread with her calendar template here. I made the box/drawers and easel base in light gray, so it wouldn't detract from the monthly calendar decoration and each piece is 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 square. You simply use a clip to hold that month's picture in place, or the recipient is free to put any month up that they like, depending on their mood. I chose to go light on the sentiments and mainly highlight images. I am providing links to the sources for my calendar pages and instructions for making the box/drawer. Thanks for looking! Have a great hop! Please see the posts immediately below this one for the additional calendar pages.

Also, this week our lovely hostess at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is MariLynn who has selected this verse Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens . . ." Her challenge is to make a card/project that shows the passing of time. A clock ( for hours) a sun (for days) a calendar for (years) etc. You can go to the home page here to view the rest of the beautiful creations by the rest of the design team and read MariLynn's devotional on this topic; she always has great thoughts to share. It isn't often I have to combine posts, but this is one case where they dovetailed nicely. Wishing you a blessed week (and year).

Complete calendar view

View showing drawers open for storing calendar pages:

All 12 pages

January: MFP Set used is "Time to Chill"

February: MFP Set used "Sew What?"

March: MFP Set used "Happy Pansies"

April: MFP Set "He is the Lamb"

And right here you can see the other creations for calendars from the Mark's Finest Papers design team in day 7 of our 12-day hop! Again, for the rest of my calendar pages, just scroll down and peep at the photos in the two posts below this one.

Day 7 Calendars!
Peggysue
Connie
Anne
MariLynn

Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop . . . Calendar continued

2011-10-22T23:59:00.001-04:00

Hi friends! Here is the post that contains more of the calendar images for the complete twelve months. This post contains May through September calendar pages. Please see the post immediately below this one for October through December, if you wish.

May: MFP Set used "Planted with Love"

June: MFP Set used "Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement"

July: MFP Set used "Fun on the Farm"

August: MFP Set used "Adirondack Summer"

September: MFP Set used "Poppies, Poppies, Poppies"

Day 7 Calendars!
Peggysue
Connie
Anne
MariLynn

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop . . .Calendars Oct-December

2011-10-22T23:58:00.002-04:00

And here is the last of the set, October through December, plus a view of the drawers open to show how they store the calendar pages. Thanks again so much for looking, hope you're enjoying the hop! If you stumbled across this post and don't remember the hop order, it is listed below:

October: MFP Set used "Autumn Fun"

November: MFP Set used "Country Thanksgiving"

December: MFP Set used "Ginger Cookies"

Day 7 Calendars!
Peggysue
Connie
Anne
MariLynn

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas blog hop . . . Day Four, Votive Candle Holders

2011-10-20T00:01:00.003-04:00

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas blog hop . . . Day Three, Altered Jars

2011-10-19T10:30:00.001-04:00

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! We have four samples each day for our hop! Please visit each of the following blogs for holiday inspiration! Start off your journey on the MFP Blog for more inspiration!

I am on the main blog post today, not a part of the official hop, but want to give you some directions for the project I made, if you need more details. I made a 'whimsy jar.' These can contain anything, for mine, I am going to fill it with sewing items, spools of thread, some pins, some buttons, for my oldest daughter to use when she sits down to sew.

I used an empty jam jar for my base and made a pincushion that attaches to the top of the jar, so you can have your pins inside the jar and the pincushion just on top, so handy, I think, for a sewing project!

The bit of fabric I used is a scrap that has a lot of meaning for me personally. Years ago, almost nineteen now, I was making a dress for my youngest daughter, who was nine months old at the time. I had all but the collar and hemming done and then a sudden, a drastic life change made me put the project down and never return to it. As I was digging through my trunk I came across a piece of this fabric, large enough to use for my pincushion and that fabric I liked so well years ago for its soft green and peach tones is seeing new life. :)

First, you cut a circle of fabric almost twice the size of the expected, final pincushion size. So you want to measure the diameter of your jar lid and cut the fabric accordingly. I cut a piece of paper 5.5-inches around first, as a template, traced around it with a pencil on my fabric and cut that out.

Then taking some strong thread, gather between 1/8- and 1/4-inch worth of fabric with a running stitch or gathering stitch, because you're just going to pull those gather threads to 'scrunch' up your pincushion fabric.

Stuff your pincushion! When you think it is full, stuff it a bit more!

Then I cut a cardboard circle to insert into the end of the pincushion because I wanted to flatten the bottom, to attach it to the jar lid. I also cut a piece of felt with a spellbinders to sew the edges shut. You don't have to be super neat with this part, its going to be glued to your jar lid and no one will see it anyway.

I used a hot glue gun (totally out of glue sticks now, used my last one) to glue the pincushion, flattened on one side, to my jar lid. Then I took some beautiful lace from Mark's Finest Papers, a few of their prima roses, an MFP charm (there are so many to choose from!), some gold thread and a bit of ribbon to complete my jar topper.

The band I made using a spellbinder die as well, a cuttlebug vintage die and an oval punch for the sentiment. The sentiment is from the MFP set "Sew What?" because my whimsy jar is a sewing jar. I added a few MFP pearls that I colored with a copic marker to match the peachy shades in the fabric and paper (Mark's Finest Papers) and glued the parts together, then slipped them up over the bottom of the jar.

I found the directions for making a simple pincushion on this site, The Purl Bee and have shared my own twist on their instructions in my post.

Thanks for looking, hope you like it and hope you get some great holiday gift ideas from the hop!

Day Three: Decorated Jars
Markie
Faith
Geri
Pam

Stamps: MFP Sew What?

Ink: stazon black

Paper: green, cream and peach from MFP

Accessories: MFP lace, pins, dragonfly charm, gold cord, prima roses, glitter, ribbon, fabric, stuffing, jam jar, spellbinders and cuttlebug vintage die

Divas by Design . . .something spooky!

2011-10-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Hey peeps! Time for another challenge from Divas by Design! This fortnight's challenge is to create something spooky. The owls are a bit distracted by the caterpillar crawling on the branch, but should be looking the other way, as a spider is about ready to crawl onto their branch. I painted around the owls with some twinkling H20s, really can't see the shimmer in the photograph, but its there.

Hope you can join in the challenge, we look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!

I found this sketch on the mojo Monday blog, it is Mojo sketch number 211, always love a good sketch to help get those creative juices going.

Stamps: Rachelle Anne Miller Stampavie, random spider web
Ink: black craft, white craft, black
Paper: black, purple, DP, white
Other: ribbon, cuttlebug vintage corner die, irridescent ice EP, clear EP, glitter, twinkling H20s, Fiskars edge punch

Stamin' Sisters in Christ challenge 111. . . seeing double

2011-10-16T04:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of the challenges are inspired by scripture. Our lovely hostess this week is Miesje, who selected this verse from Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me all who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Her challenge is called 'sharing." Use two of anything you have on your creation; for example, use two dps, two flowers, two stamps . . . whatever you use must be doubled.
Our sponsor this week is Designed2Delight@blogspot.com and one randomly selected winner will receive a $10 gift card to her store.

I know that Miesje has had several burdens on her shoulders lately so I am going to add nothing but direct you to her devotional on the home page found here.

This image caught my eye when I opened the bottom drawer of my loose, individual wooden stamps. I have a couple small Winnie stamps and hardly use them, but since this verse is about our partnership with the Lord when times get tough and Miesje's challenge is about doubles or twos, I thought the image of two friends might suit. They are taking a walk in the hundred acre forest, represented by the wood grain impression plate and the Fall colors on the strips of DP.

We hope you find the time this week to play along. Thanks for looking.

Mark's Finest Papers October release . . . Ginger Cookies

2011-10-13T23:59:00.002-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

When I saw this set I decided it would make a nice decorated cookie plate, so I used some etching cream and found an inexpensive clear glass plate at KMart. When you try this technique make sure the plate or glass is very clean and free from fingerprints. You might have to stamp your image more than once, the glass is slippery and it can take a few tries.

Stamp your image in versamark and emboss with clear powder. Using a mask cut out of contact paper, apply it to the glass and spread on the etching cream. Let it sit for a good twenty minutes at least, then wipe it off and rinse off your plate or glass in the laundry tub, if you have one. I really like the effect it produces, it is just difficult to get a good photo. Thanks for looking and best of luck on the hop.

Mark's Finest Papers October release . . . Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter

2011-10-12T23:59:00.002-04:00

Swimming for Katie blog hop

2011-10-12T21:08:00.004-04:00

Hey friends, I am not part of this hop, but in my little corner of the world, wanted to spread the word, late as it is. I am sure they will continue selling that adorable digi that Becky Oehlers designed to help Katie Renz and her family, once the hop is over. You can find more information at www.iheartpapers.com or any of the participating hop members.

Katie is a fellow stamper and is battling stage four gastric cancer. Hard to even write about this because it always brings me to tears, but just a note to say help out if you can.

Mark's Finest Papers October release . . . Christmas in the Country and Snowball

2011-10-11T23:59:00.002-04:00

Mark's Finest Papers October release . . . Holly Greetings

2011-10-10T23:59:00.003-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Claudine
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

I chose similar color schemes for my cards but in the second one I chose to focus solely on the sentiment. There are a lot of great sentiments with neat fonts in the sets from Mark's Finest Papers and you don't always have to have an image to highlight it, they can stand on their own. I associate the phrase 'holly jolly Christmas' with jingle bells, so I chose jingle bells to accent the bow. Highlighting the sentiment gives you a great outlet to use some patterned paper too. Thanks so much for looking and good luck on the hop.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 110 . . . anything goes

2011-10-09T04:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ where all of our challenges are based on scripture. Today's hostess is Lovely Linda who has selected this verse from Mark 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, "With men it is impossible but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Her challenge this week is anything goes! So you are free to use your imagination.

Prior to this verse Linda has selected, the chapter in Matthew begins with the story of the rich young ruler. If you're not familiar with this story, you can read it starting with the beginning of Mark chapter ten. Basically he walks away a bit crushed and the disciples become slightly alarmed, because the young ruler assures Jesus that he has followed all of the commandments 'since his youth' and believes that this promises him eternal assurance. Yet Jesus tells the disciples that it is difficult for a rich man, indeed everyone, to enter the kingdom heaven.

"Who then can be saved?" the disciples question one another. That is when Jesus responds with his statement that with God all things are possible.

What Jesus is referring to with that statement is salvation. Relating back to Ephesians 2:8-9 "Fo it is by grace you have been saved by faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works so that no man may boast." The rich young ruler was works oriented, he has kept all the commandments his entire adult life, doesn't that make him a shoo-in for heaven? The answer is no. No man is perfect, only God the Father. Our best efforts, striving to live a perfect life bring us as close to God as the top of your house is to the constellation Orion. We cannot do it alone. In addition to addressing the ruler's love of money, that is the point Jesus was making. What is impossible for man is possible with God. God alone provides us with the means for salvation, through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.

This passage helps me feel great relief. I grew up in an environment where nothing I did ever quite measured up, where nothing was quite good enough. Knowing that God has made a way for me when I can do nothing to make that way myself fills me with a calm gratitude for that incredible gift. I know that all the design team sisters hope and pray that you have made the decision to accept that gift as well.

We look forward to seeing your creations this week in the gallery. Hope you have a chance to play along!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs, Layers of Color (sentiment)
Ink: SU Close to Cocoa, black
Paper: DP, random blue, green
Other: rhinestones, oval nestability, twinkling H20s, silver gel pen, SU seam binding ribbon

Julie's Smile Blog Hop

2011-10-07T08:00:00.005-04:00

Welcome to this stop in the hop for Julie's Smile! If you came here from Michelle Hodge’s blog, then you are in the right spot. If not, you may want to start from the beginning at the Sweet Stamp Shop’s blog and take your time. You have ALL WEEKEND, through October 9th, to hop with us and win prizes! Any stop on the hop might mean a fabulous prize, so you really want to visit as many places as you can!

The Story:
The creative blogging community is coming together this weekend to help one of our friends, Julie Ranae. You may know her as the Design Team Coordinator for many wonderful companies from bakers twine, die cuts, rubber stamps and more. What many people don’t know about Julie Ranae is that she has had some pretty major dental surgeries in her lifetime due to medication she had to take as a child. It was in her plans to think about having all of her teeth replaced at some point in the next 5 years, a decision that was pretty easy to plan out. But then it happened…she chipped her front teeth on a weekend a month ago. The dentist told her there was no way to save them & that it was his recommendation that she give in and have them all her teeth removed soon, but for that day, they needed to get her front teeth done so her gums could begin to heal. He said he would 'work out payments with her to have ALL this work done...but when she called to make her appt for the first step of impressions, they told her the amount of money that was needed and that the 'payments' applied only to the two teeth that were extracted that day. Her husband Paul was with her & that too, was his understanding as well. So this is how she has found herself in this situation…Needing at least $4000 to get started and another $3000 to finish the process…a total of $7000.

Nicole Rixon, owner of Sweet Stamp Shop put together this benefit after finding out about this situation and before Julie Ranae knew it, it took flight!

Because she is an event organizer by trade, she has taken on the job of organizing all of the blogs in this hop as her way of ‘working overtime’ for what she needs, the same as if she were able to work overtime at an outside job to pay for the work to be done.

It is the goal of all of these generous friends & sponsors to help make this situation more do-able for our friend so that she can share a brand new smile with all of us soon.

If there is anything you can do to help with a financial donation, there is a donation button ready for you to click. Any amount is appreciated and ALL DONATIONS will be eligible for prizes from our sponsor pool of over $2500.

I hope you enjoyed your stop here on the hop! The next stop is Crafty Math Chick’s blog. Make sure you leave a comment here before you go so that you can have a chance at the amazing prizes up for grabs and if you can, please make a donation so we can help bring back a new smile for our friend.

Challenges: Mojo Monday #209

Stamps: Sneak peek of new set from Mark's Finest Papers, being released October 11th "Country Thanksgiving"
Ink: black stazon
CS: rust, pumpkin, cream and DP from PTI
Other: prismacolor pencils, ribbon, flowers (Mark's Finest Papers), punch (SU), textured woodgrain impression plate (PTI), gold gel pen

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 109 . . . fruit of the spirit

2011-10-02T04:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is our lovely founder Kris, who has selected this verse from Galatians 5:22-23a "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Her challenge is for you to include fruit in your creation (stamp, digi, paper, charms, etc.) ...just a reminder that by definition a pumpkin is a fruit and so are other forms of harvest produce like gourds. One of the stampin' sisters also reminded us that a pinecone is considered a fruit, so you have a broad range of images to choose from.

Our sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps and one randomly selected participant in this week's challenge will win a $15 gift card from that company to their store. They have lots of great images and scripture verses, as well as other stamping supplies. We hope you get a chance to visit their site!

You can read Kris' thoughts on her devotional on the main page as well as see the creations this week by the other members of the design team. I don't know about you, but that list is a bit daunting as it proves that I need to work a bit more on the fruitfulness of my Christian walk, or I need to take more of my concerns to the Lord so that he can increase the fruitfulness.

I went with a CAS card as my time this week slipped through my fingers. Thanks for looking and we hope you can join in!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Basics
Ink: black and kiwi kiss
Paper: white and red, red gingham
Other: poppy buttons, marker, edge punch

Operation Write Home Blog Hop for the Holidays

2011-10-01T03:00:00.003-04:00

We're supposed to keep it short, so I just want to say thank you to the troops and their families for all the sacrifices they make to protect our country. Operation Write Home supports the entire family structure by making a way for those serving overseas to send a little piece of love back home and that's one of the reasons why its so great. There is an entire blog hop today dedicated to Christmas card ideas for Operation Write home, click on the hop symbol at the top to start at the beginning.

Thanks for looking, happy hopping and start stamping your holiday cards for Operation Write Home right now! (remember! no glitter! I used shimmery paint and rock candy crackle to add a bit of shine)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Nutcracker Sweet
Ink: Memento black
CS: kraft, SU Spice Cake DP, aqua, pear tart, vanilla
Other: Champagne (SU) paint, rock candy crackle, oval punch, snowflake die, prismacolor pencils, gold gel pen, twine, satin aqua ribbon

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 108 . . . Blessings

2011-09-25T04:30:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where our challenges are always linked to scripture. This week's hostess is the lovely and talented Grace, who selected this verse from John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Her challenge for you is to create a project that either says 'blessings' or has an encouraging scripture on it. I couldn't find the word blessings in my stamp room, but I did have Blessed. Our sponsor this week is Pink Cat Studio and one randomly selected winner will receive five digital stamps from their collection!

Blessings--there is a lot of expectation we wrap up in that word. In human terms we tend to think of blessings only in the positive sense. We are blessed when we have good health, a good job, security, a family and possessions. What happens if all of those are stripped away? What happens to our sense of blessings then? Job experienced this. His whole world was stripped away in an instant as one messenger after another delivered the news that his herds were gone, his children gone and finally Job's body played traitor to him as well. His own wife told him to curse God and die. Nice.

Job eventually comes to the point where he realizes that God is God and he is not. He has nothing to say to the Almighty, but discovers that God alone is enough. Sometimes that's what life gives us. Not the blessings that bring us physical comfort, but the blessing of finding comfort from the only source that can provide a deep sense of peace when the world around us makes no sense. Jesus says in that verse from John that we will have trouble in this world. But He stands as the ultimate blessing. He overcame the world, giving us the greatest blessing of all, eternal life with God the Father through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Sometimes we find ourselves in a dark place and when that happens that might be the only blessing we see on the horizon. I've been in a dark place before and that one tiny glimmer of light eventually was enough to bring me out.

We also are supposed to be a light in the darkness of this world, a blessing to other. We are meant to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received. If you can, try to be a blessing to someone in your life today or this week. If the spirit is nudging you to give someone a call of encouragement, do so. Send a card to someone who is lonely, or ill or grieving. Even a smile to a random stranger or a polite thank you to the clerk at the store can be a tiny glimmer of light in their day or their week.

For my card, I chose to try a technique, new to me, that Lisa Johnson highlighted on Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday challenge. She showed us how to 'frost' our images, by stamping first with a color, then overstamping with craft white ink and smudging the craft ink with your finger to create a halo around the stamped image. It is Fall on calendar but Fall in terms of weather and color changes here in Michigan and the fields often are filled with a light mist. The colors are variations of green, purple, rust, mustard or even straw yellow, caramel, and this is a great technique to allude to those misty, changing fields of grasses. I stamped in kiwi kiss, mustard, chocolate and plum pudding. The chocolate was most interesting, when you overstamp with the white it almost turns a purple shade with hints of brown. I really enjoyed trying this technique and had a lot of fun with it. I carried forward the imagery from the main panel into the green by using versamark and some of the smaller stamps from the PTI set Peaceful Garden, sentiment from the same, and added a touch of shimmer for the frost and mist with a light touch of gel pen around the oval near the sentiment and a vertical strip of scor-tape and glitter just on the left side of the ribbon. Thanks for looking and hope you can play along this week.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Peaceful Garden, Blessings by Clear Dollar Stamps

Ink: versamark, chocolate, kiwi kiss, mustard, plum pudding, going gray, white craft ink

Paper: Kiwi kiss, soft stone, plum pudding

Other: gel pen, ribbon, scor tape, glitter

Divas by Design challenge 12 . . . a sketch!

2011-09-21T05:00:00.001-04:00

Hello, hello! It is time for another challenge from Divas by Design. The challenges run for two weeks, so plenty of time to ink up your stamps and enter right here. That's also where you'll see the amazing creations by the rest of the design team.

This fortnight's challenge is a sketch! I love sketches, they help get my brain in gear which functions in a very literal, very logical manner. Our sponsor this go-around is Stitchy Bear stamps which has some very cute digitals that one random winner will receive as a prize.

I was sorry to miss the last Divas challenge, I was on an epic journey of over 5,000 miles round trip to take my son to his college out west.

I hadn't used blue much lately so was drawn to some softer blue tones to make a get well card for a dear lady at our church who just had a heart attack. Please note in the sketch, it calls for the sentiment in the lower right hand corner, I had mine enclosed by the image so I did put a flower on that side but moved it up a bit, looked lonely sitting in the corner by itself. (bad flower!) Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Hearts, Hearts, Hearts, Layers of Color (sentiment)

CS: white, soft stone, bashful blue, pear pizzazz, Melissa Frances DP

Ink: white craft and black

Other: twinkling H20s, ribbon, prima flowers, fiskars edge punch, embossing powder, pearls

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 107...Wings

2011-09-18T04:30:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where our stamping challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is the uber-talented Chris, who selected this verse from Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles." Her challenge this week is for you to use something with wings and a biblical verse on your creation.

Our sponsor this week is Our Daily Bread Designs and one randomly selected winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to their store, so we're hoping you find a chance to play along!

Isaiah is a wonderful book in the bible and there are so many nuggets of wisdom hidden in its pages. I know Chris is going to have some great thoughts to share in her devotional on the home page at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.

Waiting . . . that's something we do a lot in this life, isn't it? Especially when the economy slows down. We wait to see if we're going to get a job in response to that resume we sent out. We wait to see if any customers will buy our products if we own our own business. We wait for a paycheck to be able to pay those bills that are themselves, waiting on the desk.

We wait for test results, wait for the light to change, wait for the rain to stop, wait for the phone to ring with that special call that is going to change our lives . . . when what we're really waiting for is God. We pray and wait for Him to answer. Then we get impatient when that answer doesn't seem to come quickly enough. Then, in our impatience, we act--and when it isn't in God's timing, that action is often premature. When we act or move on our own, we're depending on our wisdom, our strength, our timing and our plan. I have done this often enough to know that God's plan is so much better than my plan, because when I get impatient--and that happens often--it doesn't work out so well.

This verse promises that when we wait on the Lord, we will renew our strength . . .why? Is it because during that time of waiting we've had a nice rest or perhaps a glass of lemonade? No, it is because we are relying on God's strength, not our own. God's strength and wisdom is inexhaustible and immeasurable. If we wait upon the Lord, He will give us the strength we need to meet the next day, conquer the challenges that face us. And in the meantime while waiting for an answer, do what is right in front of you. Clean house, bake bread, write a friend, play with the kids, weed the garden, tend sheep--do whatever it is that lies in front of you--waiting doesn't mean life stops, it just means we don't run ahead of the Shepherd.

What seems to take a lot longer than nine months is waiting for a baby. I made two baby cards for this challenge because I have two nieces who both had babies this summer, born one month apart . I changed up the design on the second card because my husband liked it better, which do you like better? Sorry the photo is a bit washed out.

We look forward to seeing your creations with wings and a bible verse in our gallery this week. Thanks for looking, hope you can play along.

Stamps: Crafty Secrets, Our Daily Bread Designs, Waltzingmouse

Paper: white and random DP

Ink: black, versamark, pink kaleidacolor pad

Other: silver gel pen, edge punch, nestabilities, prismacolor pencils, glitter, ribbon, prima roses, PTI impression folder

Mark's Finest Paper September release . . . Get your Broom on

2011-09-15T23:59:00.001-04:00

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie

Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

And here we are at day four of the Mark's Finest Papers September release! AGain, I am not part of the official hop today (and my photo here is rather crooked!) but you will find the hop order above to be able to enter to win this set, Get Your Broom On! I stamped and embossed the images in black and then simply used some twinkling H20s in deep blue and purple to paint a Halloween sky in the background. Have fun and happy hopping!

Mark's Finest Papers September release . . . Covered Bridges

2011-09-14T23:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to day three of the new releases from Mark's Finest Papers. Please note I am not part of the hop, but I have the participants listed below. Leave a comment on each of their posts for your chance to win this newly released set, Covered Bridges. The trees in this stamp are so lifelike it reminded me of a photograph and of course, the vintage truck would have been in the era of black and white. So I did a colorized version of a photo in an album, coloring in the bridge and the truck and simply using frosted icicle stickles on the tree branches for snow.

Thanks for looking and happy hopping!

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie

Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers September blog hop . . . Boo to you!

2011-09-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Boo To You? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Boo To You. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
paynehollercards.blogspot.com/">Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn

djchrist71.blogspot.com/">Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers September blog hop . . . Autumn Glory

2011-09-12T23:59:00.003-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Autumn Glory? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Autumn Glory. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
paynehollercards.blogspot.com/">Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn

djchrist71.blogspot.com/">Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Just a quick note of explanation for what I created above; I posted 2 cards using the pumpkin/fox image to show two different coloring mediums, but when they're on the blog post itself its really hard to tell there's much of a difference! The top one uses watercolor crayons while the bottom image uses copic markers. That's all.

As for the third card, I stamped the leaf image in versamark and then shook a bit of three different embossing powders on the stamped images; gold, silver and copper. Sometimes when the sun comes through the trees onto the ground the leaves are just illuminated in a way that makes them look like they're metal, not real leaves . . .that was the thinking there. Thanks for looking and happy hopping!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 105 . . . the open door

2011-09-11T04:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's hostess is Rebekka and her verse is chosen from Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. Becky's challenge is for you to use a door somewhere in your creation, on the patterned paper, in the image, somewhere a door. I am using an old but favorite Stampin' Up set and this is the first of my holiday cards, and I kept it deliberately CAS. I'm going to be scrambling in December!

We hope that you can play along with us. Please be sure to stop by the home page to read Rebekka's thoughts on her chosen verse. And you cannot post on this day without remembering the events of ten years ago. God bless America.

Make it Monday . . . backgrounds

2011-09-06T14:00:00.003-04:00

Hi peeps! First day of school today for my daughter and I found some time to stamp. This card uses the technique from the Make it Monday challenge on the PTI blog, to use ordinary stamps from a set as a background stamp.

I chose the acorns and oak leaves from the Autumn Blessings set and worked my way up from the bottom of the insert piece starting with dark chocolate, pomegranate, really rust, pumpkin and then mustard. The vase of mums works the colors back down the other way, from purple to yellow.

The glitter stripes I worked in because I was in the mood for glitter and they are supposed to mimic the stripe in the vase. This also means I actually made a Papertrey Peeps challenge card (don't faint) for Carol's challenge for September to do an autumn inspired card. We had frost last night, I'm surely feeling inspired by cooler weather!

CASEd a layout that Nerina used a little while back, thanks for the inspiration ! And that's it! Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 105 . . . quiet colors

2011-09-04T04:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps, they have a great assortment of not just stamps, but all kinds of products, be sure to check out their store front. Please be sure also to check out the home page for Stampin' Sisters in Christ to see all the creations from the design team there.

I am the hostess this week and I selected this verse from 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ""Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.12 In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need."

My challenge to you is to use nothing bright this week. Use 'quiet' colors in your creation, either pastels, or low key earthtones, soft, muted shades of beige or neutrals. I chose pastels and quieter, softer tones, using this Layers of Color stamp set that I won in their last blog hog, the teacup and sentiments, I am having fun using it. And you can either find my thoughts on that verse on the SSIC home page, or here, and other design team members usually share their own thoughts as well, so be sure to visit their blogs:

I chose this verse from Thessalonians in particular because it represents almost the exact opposite of what we see in society today. I don’t recall a time period when there were more ‘reality’ shows-- voyeuristic invitations to intrude upon the private lives of stars or aspirants in a desperate bid to garner public attention.

And what an odd juxtaposition of words in the first phrase…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…isn’t it everyone’s ambition to be famous, wealthy, popular like the people on these TV shows? But how often do we witness tragic results from the toxic combination of wealth, self-promotion, boredom and fame?

Some people are called into the spotlight naturally or by accident, through a heroic act, public service or the display and use of special gift or talent given them by God, such as music or athletics.

We might long to be in the spotlight, at least once in a while. However, most of us lead a “quiet life,” raising a family, going to work, going to church, cleaning house, cooking dinner, leading Awanas, coaching Little League, visiting elderly parents and the list goes on. Can you see the value in these things? This passage affirms that God does.

God’s plan has work for us all and the quiet life can accomplish much within a family and a community. I have a friend who purposes to live a ‘quiet life’ and in this life has given gifts of the work of her hands that have blessed many people. Creating a happy home where a healthy, godly family can grow in love and in service to others in their community is a gift in and of itself. Working with your hands to support yourself and your family without having to rely upon others, unless in times of tragedy or misfortune, is of great value as well.

In addition, a quiet life leaves room for reflection, to meditate on God’s word and His promises, Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

While you may win the respect of outsiders, even living a quiet life however, does not guarantee that you will always fly under the radar of notice when it comes to faith. As it says in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

We are all adequate for, or will receive God’s power when needed, to walk the path laid out before us, most often a path of little notice and quietude. The ultimate purpose of our lives after all, is to bring glory to God, not to ourselves.

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;   I will be exalted among the nations,   I will be exalted in the earth.”

We hope you can find the time to join us in this week's challenge. Thanks for looking, have a blessed week.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ chalenge 103 . . . something new!

2011-08-21T04:45:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the delightful MariLynn, who has selected this verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

For her challenge, she is asking that we try something new; and beyond that, something that you might have been afraid to try, such as a new technique, color combo, a new style, etc.

For me, I decided to try etched glass because I admire it so and was afraid to try it. Afraid I'd mess up and waste the money I spent on the supplies, afraid it wouldn't turn out quite right, afraid of getting that caustic stuff on my hands.

Well, I did have to restamp the image several times to get it to adhere properly to the glass, even when it looks like the surface is flat, it isn't really. Took several tries, but I got a clear image and it worked.

This verse MariLynn selected is particularly appropriate for me now as once again our family possibly stands at the crossroads of making a major decision that will affect where we live and what we do. Also, all of my kids are scattered in different states . . . just how far do those heart strings stretch? Pretty far, I'm finding, as we are traveling on a trip to take my son to the Moody Bible Institute branch in Spokane, Washington, about as far from where we live as a body can get while still residing in the continental U.S. I am fearful about a lot of things and work every day on conquering those fears.

I am preposting and as you read these words we pray we will be on our return trip. It isn't easy trying new things, seeing your kids leave the nest and set off on adventures that !gasp! don't involve Mom at all!!! They're growing into adults and it is a fearful thing to let go and let God . . . . in any circumstance when we want to hang on and keep control to ourselves. How futile an exercise and what precious time we waste being fearful. God is in control even in the worst of times, His love is there like a shining beacon. We can rest in His arms and He doesn't want us to be fearful but to trust in Him; that's when we truly experience His power, when we relinquish control and let Him guide, let Him lead.

Praying you will find yourself trusting him in all areas, but particularly those that are hard to relinquish control. I will not be able to comment or respond as we are still traveling, hope to be back in the saddle by the end of this coming week. Hugs to all, hope you can play along. We love seeing your creations in the gallery!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement

Other: glass block from Hobby Lobby, etching cream, versamark, clear embossing powder, heat gun, light string

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 102 . . . music!

2011-08-14T05:35:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ and this week's hostess is one of our guest designers, the ultra talented Teresa Kline, who has selected this verse from Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Her challenge is to use music in some form on your creation, sheet music, music notes, instruments, or singing.

I know she has some great thoughts to share in her devotional on our home page and you don't want to miss the beautiful creations by the rest of the design team.

I am guessing that I will be the only one to have a card with a sheep playing the bagpipes. :) I bought a set of stamps a few years ago that played off of the 12 Days of Christmas theme and that sheep just tickles my funny bone. I used a sideways sketch for this card that involved cutting off a portion of the top layer to show a segment on the bottom layer, in this case the sentiment, from Waltzing Mouse . . .and do you want to know why???? Because I goofed up the top layer and had to cut a piece off. In this case even an extra embellishment wouldn't work. Lucky for me that's a legitimate card sketch.

We will be enjoying conversation, music and sermons as we drive on a long trek west to get my son to Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, Washington. I have preposted this and will not be visiting blogs or available until late August, early September, but look forward to coming back to see everyone's creations upon my return. Happy stamping and we hope you can join Stampin' Sisters in Christ this week for our challenge!

Visit the other design team sisters for some fabulous inspiration, including:

Mark's Finest Papers August Introduction . . . Fun on the Farm

2011-08-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Fun On The Farm? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Fun On The Farm. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Also, I am going to be out of town for a few weeks and unable to comment or visit other blogs during that time. I will miss it! I have a few blog posts prescheduled and look forward to getting back to stamping and visiting in September.

Mark's Finest Papers August introduction . . . Forest Gifts

2011-08-11T00:02:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Forest Gifts? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Forest Gifts. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Please note that I am not part of today's blog hop.

Also, I am going to be out of town for a few weeks and unable to comment or visit other blogs during that time. I will miss it! I have a few blog posts prescheduled and look forward to getting back to stamping and visiting in September.

Mark's Finest Papers August Blog Hop . . . Butterflies and Wisteria

2011-08-10T00:02:00.003-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Butterflies and Wisteria? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Butterflies and Wisteria. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

(sentiment on second card is not MFP)

Please note that I will be out of town for almost three weeks. I have preposts scheduled but will be unable to visit other blogs or comment during this time. I won't be stamping either, so I'll be in withdrawal, both from missing my ink and paper and missing all of your lovely creations. Happy stamping!

Mark's Finest Papers August Blog Hop . . . Black Eyed Susans

2011-08-09T00:01:00.002-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

For the first card, I used prismacolor pencils in a wide variety of yellows and oranges. The second card shows below it the copics I used on the flower alone, on the butterfly I used a variety of blues and purples, then overlaid the butterfly with a bit of twinkling H20s for some shimmer. The butterfly actually is from a set being introduced tomorrow, Butterflies and Wisteria. I used the butterfly from that set on a post on Sunday as well.

Please note that I will be out of town for almost three weeks. I have preposts scheduled but will be unable to visit other blogs or comment during this time. I won't be stamping either, so I'll be in withdrawal, both from missing my ink and paper and missing all of your lovely creations. Happy stamping!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 101 . . .de-stashing

2011-08-07T04:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ and this week's hostess the lovely inside-and-out Linda, who selected this verse from Lam 3:22 -23 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Her challenge is to Dig deep into your craft cupboard and use something from your stash that you 'just had to have' cause you would use it everyday....but have forgotten about...and our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps! They have a great selection of art and sentiments including many scripture verses, one of which I used on my card today.

I'll be interested to read Linda's devotional because I don't know where she is going with this verse and the challenge but I do find it comforting that so many encouraging verses come out of a book called Lamentations. :) This is one of my favorites. The fact that God's mercies are fresh and new every morning, the past is wiped away and we have a new start! His mercies never cease . . . that word 'never' encompasses all of eternity. He is faithful, even when we are faithless. . . that part of the verse I keep in mind in particular when I pray for friends and family who don't yet know Jesus Christ as their personal savior, God is faithful to answer our prayers and to call lovingly to those who don't yet recognize His voice. And then who can read this verse without hearing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" in their heads? God's love for you is new every morning, just grab hold of it and hang on through the storms of life!

This challenge was actually a bit difficult for me . . .the main objects that I 'had to have' and haven't used are all those 3-D alterable items that never seem to get made! And I wasn't going to try my hand at them this week either! But I did use one new product I had to have and I love it! I used a vintage medallion art stencil from Layers of Color, sponging a bit of spun sugar distress ink around the stencil on top of Prima Fairy Flora paper. I buy stamps and then find myself without time to use them . . . and then buy more stamps and let them sit . . . a dangerous pattern so I think I will stop buying stamps for a while! But I liked this verse in Philippians from Clear Dollar Stamps and it seemed to suit the paper and a need I have for some encouraging cards for friends who are having troubles right now. Two products I seldom use are Smooch gold lame--I used a bit on the butterfly body and the wings--and twinkling H20s which I also used to give the butterfly wings a bit of shimmer.

The butterfly I colored using the cup o'markers you see pictured, then overlaid the wings with some twinkling H20s for a bit of shimmer and dotted a bit of smooch on the wings for a touch of gold to match the gold embossed verse. I did a closeup so you could see the gold a bit better, I don't usually do that. The butterfly also is a sneak peek of a new set being introduced this coming week from Mark's Finest Papers, Butterflies and Wisteria.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping, we hope you can play along!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 100 . . . creatures

2011-07-31T05:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! We are welcoming two guest designers for the month of August, Traci Major and Teresa Kline! Both of them love the Lord and create beautiful things and if you visit the main blog you can see all the creations from each member of the design team! I am your hostess this week and I chose this verse:

Psalm 148:7-10 “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds. . .”

Wishing you a blessed Sunday in the Lord! Have you had a chance to go to church today? We all hope you have a place to connect with members of a local body of believers and join them in worship.

We can worship the Lord any time though, not just in church. The psalms can be soothing, encouraging or even exciting! Imagine if our ears were on the right frequency to hear all of creation praising the Lord, as it talks about in this psalm!

In 1 Chronicles 16:23 it says, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

“Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them!”
Psalm 69:34

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1

However, the job of praising our creator also is ours, in fact it is primarily our job. In Luke 19:40 Jesus said that if men should hold their peace, or not praise God, “even the stones would cry out.” Let’s not outsource that job to a stone, let’s use our voices and praise Him!

Each of the design team members has a wonderful praise song linked in their blog post, or song to recommend that will get your heart moving closer to the Lord in worship.

I love to listen to praise music as I create! I have so many favorite songs, but one that I like that we sang at the church we attended before we moved is a Chris Tomlin song, “Sing, Sing, Sing.” You’ll find it here on youtube.

Once you’ve enjoyed your praise tour, in this week’s challenge we invite you to use any type of creature from tiny (like an ant or a bug) to a very large creature (whale, or elephant) on your card or project. Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry, and I used one of their ant images in my card. I colored them with prismacolor pencils and covered them with crystal effects to make them shiny, because ants are usually a bit shiny. I colored the leaves with prismas as well and used some paper scraps to piece together a background for them. Have fun and enjoy singing!

Divas by Design . . . Summertime!

2011-07-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

Summer is here! And the Divas by Design challenge blog invites you to make your summer themed card for this next two week challenge period.

The divas have a lovely crop of summer cards on the main blog here for your viewing pleasure and we do hope you'll join in! The sponsor this round is Di's Digital Downloads and you will see a lot of cute bears and summer images in the design team creations. I look like I missed the memo, was out of town taking care of my mom for a few days.

I chose pink lemonade as an iconic summer symbol, although if you like it you can have it any time of year. I used the wrinkle free distress technique to make the lemonade with spun sugar and worn lipstick Ranger distress inks. Drew in some ice cubes using a silver gel pen so they wouldn't be too prominent. Tried to make it look as though frost was covering the top of the glass, you know how your cold drinks sweat a bit in the heat when you're outside, so I put rock candy crackle on the upper part of the jar. Don't know if it looks like a drink or if the glass looks like it is going to shatter. :)

Thanks for looking and hope you can play along!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Friendship Jar, Stampin' Up Fresh Fruits, Flourishes borders

Ink: black, Ranger distress spun sugar, worn lipstick

Paper: DP, white, pink, yellow

Other: PTI impression plate, ribbon, lace, Rock Candy crackle, silver gel pen, buttons

PTI Stamp a Faire challenge 10, CPS 228

2011-07-26T22:51:00.007-04:00

Squeaking in under the wire, Papertrey Ink has one final challenge for Stamp a Faire, number ten, where you are to stamp one image underneath another overstamped image, using a lighter color for the background layer and a darker color on top.

I chose Background Basics: Botanicals in versamark on Fine Linen then overstamped with one of my favorite PTI sets, Life, in kiwi kiss, lavendar moon, plum pudding, poppy, ballet blue, celery and violette.

The sentiment is from a new set called "Encouragement" from Layers of Color that I couldn't wait to ink up, has a great assortment of scriptures and sentiments that I know I'm going to find very helpful.

I sort of followed the newest sketch from Card Positioning Systems, number 228, it was a great guide to get started on this project, along with the PTI challenge. Thanks for looking, have a great evening!

Other paper layers are rustic cream, baja breeze and kraft with a touch of SU DP and some seam binding ribbon, PTI chartreuse button and twine.

Papertrey Ink blog hop July 2011

2011-07-25T18:53:00.006-04:00

Papertrey Ink July blog hop yo! This was an inspiration photo hop and from the inspiration photo I took the imagery of the window, chose the mums to play off the flowers in one of the pillows. The white impressed base of the card from the scored bench in the photo and the medallion on the other pillow in my aqua background stamped with guidelines images. I have just a touch of orange as a nod to the orange curtains. The wee bit of ribbon and fine linen button are a play off of the shades in the window. I had a lot of fun with this and hope you did too! Looking forward to hopping later, have to feed the family first!

Thought I would show the pencils I used to color in the vase and flowers. Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 99 . . .black and white

2011-07-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is once again time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the uber-talented Grace, who selected this verse from Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Her challenge is to create a card in contrasts of either black and white or ivory and black.

Our sponsor this week is Layers of Color! I was traveling and had to get my card together in a hurry. I had some LOC stamps on their way but they arrived while I was gone, I am anxious, however, to ink them up. Especially! the sentiment set that one lucky winner will receive who plays along this week. I ordered it first thing, I LOVE it!

As I said, I was traveling and have no other thoughts to share on the verse this week other than Isaiah is full of beautiful passages and I know Grace's thoughts will bless you.

Hope you can play along, we look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!

Papertrey Ink Stamp a Faire challenge

2011-07-23T23:48:00.004-04:00

This is for the Papertrey Ink Stamp a Faire challenge number nine, to look at a stamp or use it in a new way. I am not sure this qualifies, but the first thing that came to mind is that when you drive around in the summer, you see all sorts of creative holders for flowers and yes, I've seen people use cars as planters.

So instead of the car you drive, this is my car as planter, complete with the rust you'd accumulate if it sat a while in the yard in the elements. Thanks for looking, happy stamping!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Enjoy the Ride, Garden Variety

Ink: black, kiwi kiss, new leaf, hibiscus burst, pure poppy and tumbled glass

Paper: Spring moss, soft stone, white, patterned paper scraps

Other: ribbon, glitter, button, nestability, rock candy crackle, copics

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 98 . . .let's dance!!!

2011-07-17T04:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ and this week our lovely blog founder Kris is the hostess who has selected this verse from 2 Samuel 6:14 "And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod."

Her challenge is to make a card that 'moves' (i.e. tilt card, slider, pop up, waterfall, etc.) You can check on splitcoast stampers for lots of great resources on cards that move; the reason I have two shots of my card is to show the motion, I made a tilt card, first time for me, and the lowest sunflower blossom moves.

Our sponsor this week is Designed2Delight @ http://designed2delight@blogspot.com and one lucky winner will get a $10 gift card to her store.

In this verse of 2 Samuel, we're actually picking up part two of a short story about David; this is his second attempt to bring the ark back to its rightful place. The reason the first try failed is a story for another day, because in his second attempt, David finally got it right and this scene focuses on David's whole-hearted devotion to praising the Lord as he returns the ark to Jerusalem. As king and ruler of the entire army, he might have considered himself too dignified to dance before the ark, but not so.

One of his wives, Michal, daughter of Saul, chastises David for his behavior, but his response to her shows where his heart is; in verse 21 and 22 he tells Michal, "I will celebrate before the LORD. ²² I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes."

All of creation praises the Lord, as it says in Isaiah 55:12b "the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

The king of Israel danced, the trees of the fields even clap their hands, how have you worshipped and praised the Lord lately?

We invite you to create a card that moves for this week's challenge, looking forward to seeing your projects in the gallery!

For my card I chose to use the tilt card tutorial from splitcoast, you will find directions to their resource section here. I like the image on this stamp because it reminds me of illustrations from some old story books my mom had when she was a small child, dating back to the 1930s, so I chose retro style papers and colors for this card. Thanks for looking and have a great day.

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers "Planted with Love"

Ink: black archival

Paper: kraft, blue, green and don't know the manufacturer of the DP

Other: prismacolor pencils, PTI button, Fiskars edge punches, velvet ribbon

Mark's Finest Papers July release . . . Adirondack Summer

2011-07-14T23:59:00.002-04:00

Adirondack chairs are extremely popular here in the summer and they are sold in all colors of the rainbow! A family friend recently rescued some chairs from the 50s I believe and painted them in shades of blue, pink and green, yellow, red, all sorts of colors, so I used those as the inspiration for my cards. They have a home facing the lake . .. we live four blocks away from the water, I love how it changes color almost every day, all different shades of slate, blue, gray, teal, you name a shade of blue or gray and I think it appears in that color at least once a year! Sometimes CAS works for me depending on the inspiration of the moment!
The first card uses the wrinkle free distress technique with Ranger distress inks, I used painted shutters, broken china and a lighter blue, cannot remember which, sorry! Overstamped the image in black craft ink and embossed. All of these are very simple cards, they don't take long! Thanks for looking! And if you are trying to win this set from today's hop, you need to visit and comment on the blogs I have linked below. Good luck!

And . . .since chairs have legs, here is another shot at the LIM or Less is More challenge for this week, yay! A one layer card!

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Adirondack Summer. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth Neva Silvia Faith Claudine Dawn Marilynn Patricia Chrissy Karen Pam Joanne Kittie Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers July Release . . . Lilacs in the Summer

2011-07-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

Hello stampers! Mark's Finest Papers is still having the new release blog hop! I am not in the hop today, but the list is below. My card here is also featured on the main designer blog, where you will see other artwork using this new set! Tomorrow also I am not on the hop, but I have a few projects to show you that are not on the main blog, using tomorrow's new set, so you can stop by if you want a look-see. Thanks for stopping!

In the card above I was going for a journal/sketchbook type of thing. I used some twinkling H20s on my project and I think it made it too dark, I would have been better off leaving it alone!

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Lilacs in the Summer. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Emily Nancyruth Neva Silvia Faith Claudine Dawn Marilynn Patricia Chrissy Karen Pam Joanne Kittie Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers July release. . . Planted with Love

2011-07-12T23:59:00.002-04:00

I'm sure you've seen photos on other blogs showing the colors they used on their images and while I am still an amateur when it comes to the copics, I thoughts I'd do the traditional 'cup o'markers' image so you can see which shades I used, except for the random ciaos in the mix. I really like the watermelon image, it makes for a cheerful card.

For this card I tried to make a bit of a scene, the sunflower image to me could double as a sun standing along. There is a stand-alone sunflower image in the set, that one was a bit large for my plans, so I stamped and cut out one of the sunflowers from the seedpacket for mine. Tickets are big right now, I don't have a ticket punch or die, I wanted my sentiment on that sort of shape. I took an old SU punch I own and cut off the half circles on either side of the rectangle . . . if any of you own this particular punch you'll know which one I'm talking about. Worked like a charm! Those crows crack me up, I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the design team does with them too.

There is something else worth mentioning besides the stamps. Mark's Finest Papers is offering a new Neutrals Pack that has some great layering weight colors that retail for $7.99 and include:

80lb Speedy the Cat Black Linen

80lb Deepest Mahogany

100lb Deep Gloss White

80lb French Vanilla Bean

80lb Hazelnut Tan

100lb Chip Board (Kraft)

80lb Gray Storm

The link to the paper is right here!

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: Little Birds With Big Mouths, Planted with Love, Lilacs in the Summer, and Adirondack Summer.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Planted With Love? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Planted With Love. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Lois

Vicky Dawn Anne Peggysue Connie Emily Karen Patty Roxie Vicki Liz Geri Lynn Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers July release . . . Little Birds with Big Mouths

2011-07-11T23:59:00.004-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Little Birds With Big Mouths? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Little Birds With Big Mouths. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Lois Vicky Dawn Anne *Peggysue*--you are here right now! Connie Emily Karen Patty Roxie Vicki Liz Geri Lynn Mark’s Finest Papers

For the first card I found a challenge blog just this week that calls for "Less is More" or LIM. With me, less is more or a one-layer card is near to impossible for me to create, so I hope to play more often and challenge myself! The challenge this week was to do something with legs, well, birds have legs, so this qualifies. I don't know if ribbons are allowed, I'll wait for someone from that blog to come tell me yes or no.
Supplies:
Vanilla cardstock
Antique Linen, Broken China, Vintage Photo Ranger distress inks
Ribbon, sponging, scor-pal, corner rounder, SU chalks, cinnamon stickles

For the second card I had fun with my prismacolor pencils, it is just a fun image to color.
Supplies: Rose, yellow, aqua, white cardstock, Stella and Rose DSP, retired SU DSP
Black ink
prismacolor pencils, spellbinders nestability, button, ribbon, Fiskars corner punch/embosser, edge punch

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 97 . . . favorites

2011-07-10T04:30:00.007-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. We enjoyed seeing all the CAS creations in the gallery last week. This week's hostess is our sister Rebekka, who has selected this verse from James 2:18,19 "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble."

Her challenge is an easy one, you get to choose 'what works for you,' your favorite embellishment, embossing folder, spellbinder, image, whatever is a favorite for you.

I like patterned papers and this package (Cosmo Cricket DeLovely) has been a favorite of mine for a while. I am finally using it up and as fellow hoarders, I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about when I say it is tough to let that last bit slip through your fingers, but there will be a new favorite paper soon. Also, when I am sad I like to 'play with my paper dolls.' They are favorites when I'm down, so I pulled out one of my paper dolls, this Frieda stamp from The Craft's Meow and dressed her up in bright colors. I also don't function well unless I have a good sketch, so sketches are one of my favorite ways to try to scrape together some mojo and I found a sketch on Card Patterns (sketch 123) that helped me out.

I am certain that Rebekka is going to have some wonderful thoughts to share in her devotional, which you will find here. I was fighting a bout of food poisoning and didn't gather together any additional thoughts this week. Also on the home page you will see the design team's lovely creations and see if you can guess what some of their 'favorites' might be! Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp and we do appreciate that.

Hope you find some time to play this week! Thanks for looking.

I am entering the following challenges:

CMC Copic Challenges: I used at least five different shades on Frieda's hair to get reddish tints in the brown

Alphabet Challenge Blog: J for Just one word . . .my single word is Love

Stamp Something: Bugs and Butterflies

Crazy 4 Challenges #95: Summer!!!

One Stop Craft Challenge #139: Summer

Wee Memories: Summertime

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 96 . . . CAS

2011-07-03T04:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! I am the hostess this week, and our sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps! They are offering a $15 gift card to their store to one randomly selected winner. I used this cute little hippo stamp I received with an order I placed back in January, I believe. My bible verse and thoughts for this week are as follows:

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

Before you move one more word forward in this message, go get your bible and open it.

Now that you're back and you have opened to that passage in scripture, go find a solitary place, read the word and pray. Have a conversation with the Lord.

We feel privileged to come here every week and share encouraging words, share our artwork and then view yours in the gallery. As Christians we are to encourage one another in our walk. (Proverbs 27:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Galatians 6:2 as some examples.) However, I feel a burden on my heart that as a nation, as Christians, we are not turning to the power source.

A few weeks ago we had a huge storm that knocked a limb out of a tree. These are hundred-year-old maples so you can imagine how huge the `limb' was, and the storm knocked down the power lines and the entire town was blacked out for over 24 hours. What would have happened if I'd shaken our lamps, yelled at the light switch on the wall, "Why aren't you doing anything? Where is the light you are supposed to provide?"

The lamp, the cord, the switch, these all are elements that connect TO the power source, but remain simple conduits. We, the members of the Stampin' Sisters in Christ team love you as sisters in Christ, but HE is the power source—Christ Jesus. We are not it. Neither is talk radio, facebook, food, the phone, TV, all the things we use to draw our minds away from our troubles, places we turn to as a panacea.

So for this week I want to encourage you to spend time every day in the Word. God wrote a book—read it. God wants a relationship with you—work on it. Find a quiet place to read the bible and pray to God, not with a laundry list of please bless this one and please heal that one; which are all important prayers; but in addition, take the time to be still and to listen for His response, for His will and purpose for your life, and yes, to feel His love wash over you. Go and be still.

God is in all aspects of our lives, even the hustle and bustle, but in quiet times we often hear him best, as it says in I Kings 19:12 "And after the fire there was a gentle whisper."

This week's challenge then is a CAS card, be still and listen for that gentle whisper.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps main image, Papertrey Ink Turning a New Leaf

Paper: Aqua mist, gray, white, scrap of Doodle Bug Designs

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Certainly Celery, black

Other: copics, linen thread, scalloped rectangle nestability

Divas by Design . . . Die Cuts and Punches

2011-06-29T01:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Wednesday! It is time for another challenge from Divas by Design. I am betting everyone can participate in this one, the challenge is to use die cuts and/or punches. I don't know of a stampers who doesn't own a fine collection of these!

Shaped cards are big right now, it seems and I've seen quite a few that call for using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Grands. They ARE quite grand and I like them, but my pocketbook does not, so I try to find ways to use what I have. I do own quite a few of the nestie sets that are regular size and for this card I took the largest die from the Labels 4 set and traced around its outside for the largest layer on the white cardstock. For the green striped layer I cut a strip of paper so that it would just barely slide through the die and fed just one end through the half the die so I would get a cut on one end, but not both . . .I am going to have to post a picture to make it clear I think.

I have punched daisy shaped behind the prima roses, not sure you can see them. And I used a large Martha Stewart edge punch for a floral 'fence' where my little Frieda is picking flowers. (from The Craft's Meow).

I paper pieced Frieda and colored her with copics. Thanks for looking and hope you can play along! The rest of the design team blogs can be found as listed below!

And whooops! I forgot to mention that the Divas are looking for a guest designer! You will find all the deets on the blog link I posted above, so give it a shot!

Polaroid 2-Step Masking

2011-06-28T11:48:00.004-04:00

I cannot recall if I've had a chance yet to play in the Make it Monday techniques posted on the Papertrey blog, but this week I did! Yay! It is so nice not to be traveling so much so I can get inky and crafty.

This week's Make it Monday is a Polaroid 2-step masking and you'll find the directions where I highlighted the link. The only thing I don't like about this is how long it takes my white craft ink to dry, but then again I have humidity issues in the basement. I'd like to try it again and play around more with the framing and the stamps I use there, in this instance I used Turning a New Leaf. The focal image is Autumn Abundance and I used prismacolor pencils. I chose kraft paper because I like the tone I get with the prismas on that paper.

Thanks for looking! Happy stamping!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 95 . . . Free in Christ

2011-06-26T04:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Today's hostess is the ever youthful Miesje who selected this verse from Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

The challenge is to make a red, white and blue thank you card. I always enjoy working with red, white and blue, I just think they are pretty colors together, bright and cheerful. I had this set out for another project I posted yesterday and decided to try the tulips in red, white and blue and I like the result! However, for the entire layout and embellishment scheme I totally CASED a Debbie Olson card from February. She lives across the lake from me, so one day I might take a 118-mile swim (perhaps a jet ski?) and get her to teach me how to color properly with copics.

I had a few conversations this week that relate to the verse Miesje selected. One was with a friend yesterday who grieves over the fact that someone close to her won't accept the gospel message. They say openly that they don't want to accept Christ as savior because it would mean they would have to change their lifestyle.

I have known many other people who held this opinion, who feel as though to become a Christian means entering a life of bondage somehow, of eternal servitude. But that verse and many others point out that through Christ we have freedom from the bondage of sin!!! It compares sin to a yoke of slavery . . . what does that mean exactly?

At our old church one saying there was "choose to sin, choose to suffer." Sin always has its consequences. Sin seems so appealing at first, so easy and so widely accepted. But soon that sin ensnares us and we cannot escape, it becomes a yoke around our necks. I am sure you are able to think of many examples on your own, but for just a few . . . spending beyond your budget and the credit card bills pile up, drinking a bit to forget your troubles until the alcohol bottle is too hard to put down, cheating just a little on taxes until the IRS comes calling. What about the fallacy of 'recreational' drug use? In one area of the country I read about this week, where methamphetamine became popular, child abuse and domestic violence rose over 100% above previous levels. The police were overwhelmed and social services could not keep pace.

It doesn't matter whether the sin seems 'big' to us or 'little' in comparison to others, all sin is the same before a holy God. And we and the others around us suffer the consequences of that sin. Worst of all, sin separates us from God. Christ is the bridge, He paid the price for our sins on the cross and set us free from that bondage.

And far from a life of thankless, cheerless servitude, when we accept Jesus we become beloved sons and daughters, joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:15-17) Life is ours to enjoy, on both sides of heaven. Sometimes I think ideas are better communicated through music, there is a great song that I love to sing at the top of my lungs (alone in the car or in the shower) by the Newsboys; Free to Run. You can find it here on youtube.

Thanks for looking, have a great week! We look forward to seeing your red, white and blue cards decorate the gallery!

Papertrey Ink June blog hop

2011-06-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

Can you believe its time for another Papertrey Ink blog hop? I haven't had a chance to participate much lately, but this month found the time. Below is the inspiration photo, quite colorful, and I had just been playing with my kaleidacolor pads a few weeks ago, so I pulled them out again for a few of the cards below.

For this first card I pulled out Giga Guidelines and a few kaleidacolor pads in Fresh Greens, Desert Heat, Cool Carribbean and Berry Blaze, to mimic the colors in the striping in the inspiration photo. I added an accent strip of Martha Stewart black glitter.
For this card I colored the tulips and the jar with the colors from the inspiration photo (dark to light green, blush, yellow, oranges, reds, pinks and aqua) using prismacolor pencils and put in one poofy element in the bottom right corner of the card with the pink ribbon. (Friendship Jars, Friendship Jar Spring Fillers, Background Basics: Botanicals, Say it With Style)

Using the kaleidacolor pads I repeated the word 'happy' from the Enjoy the Ride set and then used Birthday from Giga Guidelines, and it introduces the aqua or bright blue color with Turning a New Leaf. I almost had enough stickle colors to match the ink choices. In the case of the light green I had to use a container of yellow icicle stickles as I had no good color match. See the little pink accent at the bottom left? That was a oops as my strip of green was too short for the card. I'd like to say it was some deliberate artistic element, but it isn't.

That's it! I would imagine the hop is going to be a very colorful one considering the inspiration photo and I had fun this past week creating. Looking forward to seeing all of your artwork as well.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 94 . . . doodling

2011-06-19T04:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the lovely and talented MariLynn, who selected this verse from Hebrews 11:1, which says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. (KJV)."

Our sponsor company is Our Daily Bread Designs which is offering a $15 gift certificate to one randomly selected participant in this week's challenge, which is to use doodling somewhere on your card.

I doodled all around the white space for my duckie and then doodled in a small bee buzzing nearby. I love this little duck stamp, makes me happy every time I use it!

Anyway, all you have to do is doodle to play, hope you find time this week! I honestly have no idea what MariLynn's devotion is going to be or the connection between the verse and doodling so I will be as anxious to read it on Sunday as you will! And I know she will have some precious thoughts to share, so I'm going to leave it to her. (I'm preposting).

Have a blessed week!

Stamps: Hambo, MFP (sentiment)

Paper: who knows . . . picked it up out of my scrap pile

Ink: black

Other: scor tape, glitter (that's always fun to use, any excuse will do), flower, corner rounder

One wedding photo

2011-06-16T11:12:00.003-04:00

Wish I had a full length photo to share, but for now, here is a photo of the happy new bride and groom from my oldest daughter's wedding. :)

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 93 . . . Father's Day

2011-06-12T04:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I missed last week, finally have returned from having my oldest daughter's wedding and helping my mom with a move. Lots of traveling, lots of activity, but new horizons for many in the family and hopefully, good ones!

Our hostess this week is the lovely and talented Lisa, who has selected this verse from Ephesians 6:2-4, "Honor your father and mother"~this is the first commandment with a promise~"so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Lisa is challenging us to make a Father's Day card or a card praising our Father in heaven. And our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp! Be sure to check out the home page here to read Lisa's thoughts about her chosen verse and to see the beautiful creations from the rest of the design team.

I made my card to give to my husband. My own father is gone, but my husband is a stellar example of a man who has risen to the top as a father, and to children not his own. I have three children from a first marriage and the kids and I were on our own for quite a number of years before I met my current husband and he entered their lives. The kids, especially my oldest daughter, were of the opinion that life would have sailed on quite nicely without him, thank you very much, no need for you to get married again, mom. But what an incredible journey we have had.

It was never a question for my husband, he said when he married me he had to embrace them as his own children or it never would have worked. That he has done, all the while walking a delicate line of making sure the kids understand he was not here to replace their own father, who is still alive, but just entering in as an extra helper in their lives--patient, kind, understanding, generous, unselfish, encouraging--always there to support the kids.

This past weekend my oldest daughter got married, which is why I didn't have time to make a card for last Sunday's challenge. The wedding was beautiful, my daughter was, of course, the prettiest bride ever seen. She danced with her dad, her new husband danced with his mom, and then, as a complete surprise, my daughter called my husband to the dance floor for their own special, private dance. It was one of the best moments of my husband's life, a sweet reward for all of his efforts and the love he has shown. Above all, my husband has helped with the spiritual growth in our family because of his love for his heavenly father. All the kids have said that their faith walks would not have grown the way they have without him. Two of my kids are on mission trips this summer.

Parenting is never easy, step parenting is even harder and doing it well deserves a gold medal. I don't have one of those and most of you reading this probably don't either, but take the time to thank someone next weekend, father, stepfather, grandfather, or heavenly Father, who has poured themselves into your life. I don't have photos of the wedding yet, but hope to share some soon!

Have a great week, hope you can play along.

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers All Aboard and Big Boy Toys (sentiment)

Ink: Ranger distress ink Weathered Wood

Mark's Finest Papers June release . . . Floating Along

2011-06-10T00:04:00.002-04:00

I am not part of the official hop but have listed the order below. I am out of town helping my mom move, she has no internet so I"ll be blacked out for a few days, but will look forward to visiting everyone's blogs when I return!

Had fun using the Wrinkle Free Distress technique with Ranger distress inks for the water lilies and the swan. Found some great paper that was a gift from a friend that I think complement the image wonderfully well.

On the second card I did an ornare pattern that looks really nice with the water lily stamp, I know its almost impossible to see in the photo. Had a great time with the stamps from this MFP release and you all are going to have FUN playing with them as well! Thanks for looking!

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Sharon-Guest Designer for June
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers June release. . . Sand, Surf, Relax!

2011-06-09T00:02:00.001-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the June 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are: All Aboard, Poppies Poppies Poppies, Sand Surf Relax, and Floating Along.
For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Sand Surf Relax? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Sand, Surf, Relax. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Sharon-Guest Designer for June
Mark’s Finest Papers

Although I am NOT part of the official hop today and you can find on the main blog post some of the amazing creations by other design team members, I am listing the order here so if you're lost, you can follow along! Best of luck and happy hopping!

Just finished up my DD's wedding, now leaving for my mom's to help her move. Commenting and blog visiting will commence in the future soon I hope! Mom has no available internet, so I"ll be blacked out for a few days. Miss all you guys!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Sand, Surf, Relax

Paper: Kraft, variety of browns

Ink: white craft, kaleidacolor browns, gray

Other: MFP twine, charm

Mark's Finest Papers June release . . . Poppies, Poppies, Poppies

2011-06-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

This week's new releases are: All Aboard, Poppies Poppies Poppies, Sand Surf Relax, and Floating Along.
For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Poppies, Poppies, Poppies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if the winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win POPPIES, POPPIES, POPPIES. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Earlier this month I have been showcasing some more elaborate poppy cards, I just love poppies and they all are blooming in Michigan right now! I also wanted to showcase how a detailed stamp can be easy to use depending on your use of color or technique. My daughter got married this past weekend so my stamping time has been limited, I had lots more ideas but no time to implement them!

For this first series of photos, I made a simple set of notecards using kaleidacolor pads. Stamp the poppy in your chosen color, use a ruler to outline it so the card has a little more definition, add a sentiment and then mount it on a complementary color cardstock. I love the white cardstock from MFP and there are so many colors to choose from in the colored cardstock line, its easy to find a match for your DP or your inks.

For this next card I stamped the image in black. Take a watercolor brush or aquapainter and dip it into a reinker of your choice--in this case I used red, orange, yellow and green to mimic poppy tones--and spatter your cardstock. I used a crimper to give the card a bit of added texture, and added a little bee from a different MFP set that features pansies. Love that bee! This is such a quick card, ten minutes tops, except for cutting out the bee.

This next card uses the Ranger distress inks in a wash on your cardstock, wrinkle free distress technique I think its called, then once you have your color wash, stamp the image in black. I cut it out, stamped some poppies in the background in red, added a sentiment and bow and voila!, you're done. Again, except for cutting out the flowers, this is a ten minute job.

And just to show them to folks who might not have come to my blog previous to this hop, I have the more complex cards, with poppies colored in prismacolor pencils and the glitter window technique, that I did earlier this month to really bring out the details and color burst you get with poppies. Thanks for looking and happy poppying!!! (hopping). (I know, stop with the poppies already!)

Lois
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue -----you are here!
Connie
Emily
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Lagene-Guest Designer for June
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers June release . . . All Aboard!!!

2011-06-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the June 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are: All Aboard, Poppies Poppies Poppies, Sand Surf Relax, and Floating Along.
For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: All Aboard? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win ALL ABOARD. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.
Lois
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue ----you are here!!!
Connie
Emily
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Lagene-Guest Designer for June
Mark’s Finest Papers

This particular stamp in this set reminded me of a book I loved when I was a child of a train that had to try so hard to get over the mountain to deliver its load of candy and toys to the children in the valley below, the Little Engine that Could! So I made a candy train for my card, hope you like it! Thanks for looking and happy hopping, good luck!

Divas by Design . . . Flowers!

2011-06-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to another challenge from Divas by Design! Every challenge is listed for two weeks, there is plenty of time to play along and this challenge involves the type of stamp that I bet EVERY stamper has on hand. . . flowers! This is a floral challenge, so pull out that favorite flower set or two or three, and play along!

For my card I am featuring a sneak peek of a new set that will be introduced by Mark's Finest Papers this month, Poppies, Poppies, Poppies. There are three different sizes of poppies in this set and great sentiments, although I chose for this card a sentiment from an older set as I wanted a specific saying to give this card to a good friend.

For this card I've used the glitter window or stained glass technique. Take a sheet of acetate and stamp your image using stazon or an archival black ink. You want to be able to see the image clearly, black is the best ink choice. On the stamped side, using a glue that dries clear, choose your first color; it is best to work from dark to light, and glue in your first area, then sprinkle the glitter on that spot. Set a timer for a minimum of 15 minutes, I usually do 20 minutes, to let it dry a bit. This is a great technique to use when you have housework to complete! When the timer beeps, return, shake off the glitter excess (you can even shake it onto a piece of paper and return it to your glitter container) and then apply the next color. Gradually the image will fill in and when done, flip it over and use the opposite side for the front of your focal point. That way the glittered side is in the back and won't rub off.

You can even get some shading on your image, if you use the right mix of glitters, just as if you were painting with them. For this image I used onyx and brownstone for the flower center, maroon and bright red, garnet, carnelian for the flower petals and fire opal for the highlights, and peridot, verdelite, gray green, dark green and medium green for the leaves.

I also got a chance to use a pretty border stamp just release from Flourishes and given to me for my birthday by a very dear friend.

Thanks for looking and hope to see you play along!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Poppies, Poppies, Poppies (June release), sentiment from Thanksful for You, Flourishes Country Charm Borders
Paper: white, red, acrylic
Ink: black, black craft
Other: glitter (as listed above), Spellbinders nestabilities labels 18, red gingham ribbon, clear EP, PTI impression plate

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 91...to a "T"

2011-05-29T04:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Our hostess this week is the talented Kristine Breach, who developed this sketch for us to follow this week. She selected this verse from Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him." Her challenge is for you to follow the sketch to a "T" - not adding anything to it, or taking anything away from it.

You can read her thoughts here on the home page and see the creations by the rest of the design team. You don't want to miss them, we get a preview in the gallery we set up off site to prepare for the week's post and they are gorgeous! Our sponsor is Sweet n' Sassy stamps, details on the home page for the prize you could win this week for participating.

I have to apologize to all my blogging buddies, we have had two college graduations, my youngest is ending third grade and my oldest is getting married next Saturday, so I have not been visiting other's blogs, there is just not enough time in the day and most of these things require long driving trips out of state, so then you're pretty much out of commission in terms of computer time! I am probably going to be absent yet for a while as I leave on Tuesday for the wedding and the week after we return we have company coming back up to our home to visit for a week's time. I really look forward to getting back to the blogging world to see all of your beautiful things, I gather so much inspiration from my talented friends!

I find a lot of comfort in the verse Kris selected and look forward to reading her thoughts.

For my card this week I am giving a peek of a new set that will be released in June from Mark's Finest Papers. I was in a poppy mood and have been playing with that set more than I can tell you. I have had a great need for sympathy cards lately which always make me sad to create. This one wasn't so bad, it is for a friend whose 96 year old grandmother passed away, and while her family will miss her, I know when my husband's grandmother passed away at that age, she was so ready to go home! So I don't think the reds and the ribbon are too much in this instance.

One thing I did was use the smallest poppy in the set to stamp tone on tone on the red layer, I have a bit of a closeup here, but I"m not sure you can see it. I like the effect it created.

Thanks for looking, have a great holiday weekend and wishing you all a good week!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Poppies, Poppies, Poppies (June release sneak peek), Flourishes and Frame, sentiment stamp and retired SU floral background stamp
Ink: Ranger distress ink vintage photo and antique linen, black, white craft, versamark
Papers: MFP red, cream, deep brown, kraft, random DP
Other: brown satin ribbon, gingham in red and black, wire swirly thing, MS edge punch, white EP, prismacolor pencils, nestabilities, edging scissors (fiskars)

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 90 . . . tongues of silver

2011-05-22T04:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's hostess is the amazingly talented Grace, who has selected this verse from Proverbs 10:20-21 "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding." Her challenge is to create a card or project that encourages and to use a touch of silver.

Our sponsor this week is My Favorite Things and one player this week will have a chance to be selected by that random number generator thingamabob and win a $25 gift certificate to MFT.

The tongue is such a powerful tool or weapon depending on how we use it. Funny Grace should choose this verse when in a sermon I was listening to this week, the pastor mentioned a favorite saying his mom used to use, "I am the master of my unspoken words and the slave to those that should have remained unspoken."

Reminds me of Proverbs 25:11, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

It isn't any surprise the bible compares fitly spoken words to precious metals. Think back to someone in your life who spoke a positive word that either lifted you up, encouraged you or affects you in a positive way to this day. How valuable are those words? More precious than any amount of money you could gather, I would imagine.

I remember the pastor's wife at one of my former churches, she was tiny with bright eyes, always reminded me of a happy bird, like a sparrow. She never, and I mean never, greeted anyone without having an encouraging or uplifting word to say to that person. She passed away many years ago but I can still see her face, lifted up, looking at the person to whom she was speaking as if they were the only one standing in the sanctuary.

I think the key to this proverb is pretty simple. Watch the words that we allow to fall from our lips and when they do depart our mouths, make sure that our speech is uplifting for the recipient.

I know Grace will have something fabulous to say about this verse. You can read her words here on the home page and we hope that you can participate in our challenge this week.

I used the MFT sketch challenge for this week in my card with the late summer tones or colors. It felt like the image was painting the scene around her. And I enjoyed using lots of patterned papers with both of them. Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 89...

2011-05-15T04:30:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I thought the design team did an exceptional job with their samples this week! Our hostess is the talented and lovely Chris Olsen, who selected this verse Psalm 121:2-4 "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

Her challenge is to create a card or project with a tea or coffee cup or pot (or cocoa)-this can be the designer paper, the image, or embellishment.

The Craft's Meow! yay! is our sponsor this week and we are giving away a stamp set designed by Nina Bracket for TCM to one lucky, randomly selected winner! All you have to do is play along!

I love the psalms and am so glad that Chris selected this set of verses. You will have to read her devotional on the home page, I am sure she has great thoughts to share with us this week. That's sort of the surprise each week, none of the design team members knows week to week what the devotional is going to be or sometimes why we had to stamp particular things to meet that hostess' challenge. I know I've confused some folks during my weeks to hostess! So Chris' devotional will be as fresh to my eyes as it is to yours.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian, one of the first musical artists I found had a wonderfully happy song that spoke of waking up in the morning, not only to realize that it was a brand new day with all sins forgiven, but also that while we slept, God was watching over us. I had a lot of trouble sleeping in those days because my husband had recently left me and I found myself a single mother with three small children under the age of five. I would lie awake at night many times fretting and worrying about how we were possibly going to make it on our own, how I could do that job by myself.

The key was, I wasn't by myself. And when I immersed myself in the bible, sang praise songs at night and prayed, then I could rest. Then I could slumber while the one who never has any need of sleep watched over my family. I had passed my troubles over to one so much more capable than I. And that song celebrated the fact that each day was a new dawn and God was in control.

I can't find a music clip, but the song is called "Smellin' Coffee" if you want to look it up, by Chris Rice.

Thanks for looking. Have a blessed week!

My card also fits into these challenges:

Card Patterns sketch 115

IC284 Blue Magnolias

2011-05-14T09:33:00.005-04:00

When I get a chance I like to try the inspiration challenge at SCS on Saturdays, usually that day is very busy or we're out of town! The site chosen this week has beautiful glass beads, the problem with the IC's is that they can sometimes inspire you to go shopping too! :) Which I need to avoid right now.
Anyway, I wanted to make the magnolia in blue and another inspiration of mine, I have to say, was seeing Dawn Lusk's coloring, especially her leaves, I need to be more bold with my prismacolor pencils and not be afraid to lay down a little color! So I made more bold leaves, I hope!
This is for Faith's birthday, her birthday is today! But the sentiment says 'belated' because there surely is no way it will make it from my state to hers in time unless I hired a very large, very strong carrier pigeon!
Thanks for looking and have a great day
Stamps: Magnolia Wedding, Autumn Fun (sentiment)
Ink: black, blue for sponging
Paper: Melissa Frances DP, white, blue
Other: prismacolor pencils, gamsol, pearls, nestabilities 18 and 14, PTI impression plate, cuttlebug impression plate

The Saturday challenge on the Mark's Finest Papers blog is posted as well today and the challenge is monochromatic blue! This isn't completely monochrome, I just can't see blue leaves, but almost! Play along and you can win!

Mark's Finest Papers May Release . . . American Made

2011-05-13T14:29:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! As we know blogger was acting wonky recently and this post disappeared as did some other things . . .crazy!

Anyway, today is the fourth day of the Mark's Finest Papers May release hop! Hop, hop, hop. The weather in many parts of the country is beautiful, so I would imagine a lot of folks are outdoors. I still have seeds to plant!

But I want to show you these cards from the last set being introduced this month, American Made. Very patriotic and you can create a lot of interesting cards with it. The eagle card uses the cracked glass technique and a rosette that I learned how to make from a tutorial on Becca Feeken's blog, thank you Becca!

And thanks for looking~! The link back to Mark's Finest Papers is right here for the other cards created by the design team. They are beauties, you don't want to miss out on seeing them!

Mark's Finest Papers May Release . . . Big Boy Toys

2011-05-11T00:01:00.004-04:00

Welcome to day two of the Mark's Finest Papers May release blog hop! Again, my codes don't want to cooperate with me. Please visit the main blog for details, at Mark's Finest Papers. If you arrived here from Anne, you are on the right track. After my blog, please visit Connie's and you are hopping along just fine!

I enjoyed creating a scene with the detailed stamp in this set.

Here is a close up of the truck and trees.

And I had fun with the big rig image too, although I would have laughed a few months ago if someone had told me I'd have fun stamping a truck image! I remember as a kid always hearing the ads about the monster truck rallies. They always repeated their message three times . . . Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Big, big, big!!! And so on. And with big rigs they seem to like a lot of chrome and even glitter, so I added those as well. Thanks for looking and happy hopping!

Mark's Finest Papers May Release . . . Here Comes the Grad!

2011-05-10T00:01:00.010-04:00

Welcome to the Mark's Finest Papers May blog hop!

I am having tons of trouble with the html codes, so this is going to be an abbreviated version of the regular post! Check the main blog at Mark's Finest Papers for complete details about the hop and becoming a guest designer! If you are at my blog now, you should have arrived from Anne. After your visit here, please proceed to visit Connie! Mark's Finest Papers is releasing four new sets this month. All four are available today, here is the first one, Here Comes the Grad!

This was serendipitous timing because I needed at least three college graduation cards. The top two I made using the Joseph's Coat technique, using a Celebration kaleidacolor pad for my base color. In brief for that technique, brayer your color onto glossy cardstock. Stamp your chosen images in versamark onto the paper and emboss using clear powder. Rub a craft ink pad over the entire sheet. Let it dry completely! (don't ask me how I know this). Then wipe gently with a tissue and the embossed section will have resisted the ink, showing the color beneath. My goal was to recreate in color the very end of graduation when at the graduations I have attended, all the grads throw their hats in the air and they spiral towards the ceiling. To me that moment just bursts with exuberant celebration!

For this next set of cards, the top one I created in more feminine tones for my oldest, who graduated on Saturday summa cum laude from her university. Yes, I am a proud mama! I used a modified version of the step card, this will fit into an A2 envelope. Don't you love the hat pins? Those are from MFP too!

As you can tell, I had fun with this set. I really like that owl image and the graduation cap, of course, will work for any age group's celebration. Again, please visit Connie next! Happy hopping!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 88 . . .Ecc 3:11

2011-05-08T04:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Our hostess this week is Sabrina, one of our newer team members and I'm excited to read her devotional for her chosen verse this week from Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Her challenge is to make a card and put all things "beautiful" on it (flowers, pearls, bling, butterflies, etc.) You can read Sabrina's thoughts and see all of the other creations by the design team on the home page here.

This weekend I am away from home enjoying the beauty of watching my oldest graduate from college. :) I also have enjoyed watching the landscape turn ever more green as we traveled south from our home. That is a beautiful color after all the white of winter! But the last part of that verse, that he has made "everything beautiful in its time" is a wonderful reminder of the beauty that each season holds. We cannot rush the seasons, no man can no matter how hard he might try. And how much complaining we hear about the weather! Its too rainy or too sunny or lately in my world, too wintery! This verse is a great reminder that if it is still wintery where I live, God has ordained it to be so and created it with its own special beauty.

I needed a sympathy card this week and this didn't start as a sympathy card, but ended up as one. I started with a new stamp set being introduced by Mark's Finest Papers this coming week, stamping the magnolias in gold and coloring them with prismacolor pencils. I don't own the larger sized nestabilities, so I took the labels one nestabilities that I do own and traced around the curves and point in the center to create a shaped card. Added a bit of DP, a verse from Verve and a bit of gray ribbon.

It is difficult to see but I outlined the designer paper in gold pen to match the magnolias stamped in gold, and then put a touch of glitter around the edges of the card.

Thank you for looking and we hope you have time to play along this week.

This card also suits the following challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges #86: Use lots of flowers

For Fun Challenges: Use lots of flowers

Tuesday Taggers: Something old, something new (the stamps are new, not yet released in fact, and the brad is older than two years . . .the bling is a sparkly brad)

Divas by Design . . . Anything Goes

2011-05-04T05:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the very first challenge of a new challenge blog called Divas by Design!

This blog will host bi-weekly challenges that start every other Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. GMT starting May 4th.

"We want everyone to have fun and freedom in their creations so we don't mind if you use digi stamps, rubber stamps or no stamps! We would just like you to follow our theme for the challenge and have fun doing it! Please feel free to grab our badge for your sidebar and follow us for future fun!"

I was so pleasantly surprised when they chose me for a member of the design team, and then very humbled when I started to see the creations by the other DT members! They are fabulous!

I chose to make a card and pulled out a Tilda given to me by a friend. I always enjoy playing with paper dolls! The sketch I followed was created by my friend's daughter, she's already got her own sketch blog and she is ten years old? I think? You can find it here, Sketches by Carly.

I've been itching to use some dies from My Favorite Things, that's the banner in the corner. After I made it I realized that I should probably have put a "Y" for the last letter, I'm so used to short handing everything texting the kids now, I realize that not everyone will be able to interpret this! But the letters stand for I Love You. . . .but I used a "u" instead of a "y." Okay, time to stop rambling!

The point is, I had fun, and you are meant to have fun too, so for this first challenge, anything goes!

(And just a note for anyone who is time zone challenged (as I am). The challenges post at 9:00 GMT which is Greenwich Mean Time, so compared to EST in the U.S. that time is four hours ahead if you practice daylight savings time.)

This card fits the following challenges:

Just Magnolia: Buttons, bows and bling (buttons)

Sketches by Carly: sketch

Claudia and Co: butterflies