Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 82 . . .piecing

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Our hostess this week is our new online store owner Lisa, and she has selected this verse from Phillipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Her challenge is as follows: A different kind of peace... piece... as in paper piecing. Use paper piecing in the main image of your card/project. And our sponsor this week is the Technique Junkies newsletter! One randomly selected participant in this week's challenge will win one year's subscription to this newsletter. I love learning new techniques! We have a double sponsor this week and one other person has the chance to win the three new Frieda stamps introduced at The Craft's Meow.

Lisa selected one of my favorite verses. You can read her devotional for this week right here and see the creations by the rest of the design them, to inspire you to play along. As you do, think about what this verse from Phillipians means to you.

I don't know what is going on in your corner of the world, but I do know we all have worries or anxieties to varying degrees. Frankly when I look at the chaos and tragedies in other parts of the world I feel like a woman with no problems at all. But we do all have concerns, over our health or that of a loved one, our children or family, our jobs, finances . . . the list can go on. But in any of these situations we can find the peace of God when we present our requests to the Lord.

One of my favorite artists has an entire album of classic hymns, called Peace Like a River. This is a short clip of Chris Rice singing It is Well with my Soul, the song that has been running through my mind since I saw Lisa's verse. http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rice/_/It+Is+Well+With+My+Soul. The story of the man who wrote that verse, when and why, is an inspiration itself. Look up Horatio Spafford if you have time to read about the man who wrote that hymn.

On to t he card. I have been unpacking some books this week and some of my favorite children's books have gorgeous line drawings or watercolor illustrations. I decided to stamp Frieda in brown and use papers and color that remind me of a watercolor illustration in a children's book from long ago. I used two sets from The Craft's Meow, a Frieda image and then a butterfly and sentiment designed for Lisa's shop by Claire of Waltzingmouse Stamps. In addition to the paper piecing, which I enjoy using for any of my little girl stamps, I lifted up her hat ribbon and skirt with a bit of decoupage, adds a bit of depth to the card when you see it IRL. Thanks for looking, and have a blessed week!

Stamps: The Craft's Meow Frieda and butterfly sets
Ink: brown stazon, PTI aqua mist, Vintage Photo, versamark, Antique Linen
Paper: Melon, Aqua, Fine Linen, scraps from something a friend sent me long ago
Other: WWC, copics, kohinoor pencils, buttons, rhinestones, prima flowers, nestabilities

Challenges that fit this post:

Flutterby Wednesdays . . .open but use a butterfly, fairy or angel (butterfly stamped in aqua)
Freshly Brewed . . .two or more embellishments
Little Red Wagon . . . use butterflies
A Spoonful of Sugar. . . ribbons, pearls, rhinestones and flowers (I have buttons too, kind of went overboard!)
My Partner in Crafting Crime . . . three or more buttons

PTI Blog Hop March 2011 . . . Embroidery Floss

Time again for another PTI blog hop! For this month the challenge was to use DMC floss in our creation. I was thinking about that song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" and thought why not tie a pink ribbon and make bows for breast cancer awareness? And the DMC floss is just the right size to make ribbons for this PTI tree stamp. I used a kaleidacolor pad for the leaves, Fresh Greens, I think the multiple greens give it added interest. And I used DMC floss 605 and 603, braiding them together for the ribbon around the trunk and using the individual colors in the leaves. Thanks for looking and happy hopping!



In memory of my grandmother and my SIL.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Through the Trees
Paper: white, green gingham, making memories (pink)
Ink: PTI chocolate, Fresh greens kaleidacolor pad, black
Other: DMC floss, PTI button

Just for You . . . The Craft's Meow

My friend Lisa has started her own online company, The Craft's Meow and she sent some friends her new images to try out. I already had fun with little Frieda and today pulled out Just for You. I was CASEing a card created by Cook22 on SCS where she used flowers in those cute squares lined up on a business-envelope sized card.

We got ten inches of snow yesterday . . . yes you read that right, ten inches of snow on March 24th, so I am in the mood for brighter colors, sunshine and green grass, which won't happen in my real world for a while! I made it on my card, using the image from this mini set, designed by Claire at Waltzingmouse stamps for the Craft's Meow, stamping a bottom square in green for my stem, the middle square for my flower and the top for my sunny sky. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: The Craft's Meow "Just for You", SU bitty backgrounds
Paper: white, black and green gingham
Ink: black, gable green, glorious green, pink pirouette, pink passion, turquoise, teal, yoyo yellow

Grand Opening! The Craft's Meow!

What gives a stamper more pleasure than new toys to play with?

A good friend of mine is not only opening up a brand new online stamping store, TODAY, but she is introducing some special new stamps that I think you're going to love. You don't want to miss the grand opening of her new store right here at The Craft's Meow! The proud owner is none other that Lisa Hjulberg, who I met through Stampin' Sisters in Christ.

First I want to give a warm welcome to a new little girl on the block called Frieda. When I saw the stamp and heard her name I immediately had a soft spot in my heart for this little image because I had a Great Aunt Frieda while I was growing up, my dear grandmother's sister, so I just squealed when I heard that Lisa was going to call this little girl Frieda.



I have to say that coloring her was such a delight, she just came to life on my stamp table one little bit at a time. Not to mention that I gave a shot at coloring skin tones and hair with my copics for the very first time instead of running back to my prismacolor pencils. There are three sets with Frieda being introduced at this grand opening, Little Frieda's Flowers and Little Frieda's Daisy (the image I used) acome with sentiments. A third is Little Frieda and Lulu. You can find them all in Lisa's new store or read more about them on her blog.

There are three other stamp sets being introduced that were designed for Lisa's new store by Claire Brennan of Waltzingmouse Stamps and each of these will come with its own paper kit! Again, for details, visit Lisa's new storefront or her blog.

There are quite a few of Lisa's friends who have created cards or projects to celebrate her grand opening. You don't want to miss the new images and the inspiration!

Stamps: The Craft's Meow Little Frieda's Daisy
Ink: Brilliance black
Paper: Basic Grey Olivian, and matching colors in CS pulled from my stash
Other: lace ribbon from Mark's Finest Papers, PTI buttons and ribbon, Spellbinders nestabilities

I also am entering it into the following challenges, what a way to get your mojo going!

Use aquamarine--If the Shoe Fits
Something sweet--Stamp something
Paper Piecing--C.R.A.F.T. challenge
Nestabilities--Stamping Vacation
Die cuts or punches--Ginger Loft

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 81 . . .

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the lovely and talented Grace, who selected this verse from Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

Her challenge is to create a card or project that has something hidden from first view. It could be many things... an envelope, a pull out, doors that open to reveal something, a Joy Fold, Flip Flop, Magic, Slider...anything that you don't see at first glance. And one of our regular sponsors is back this week, Our Daily Bread Designs is offering a $15 gift card for one randomly selected winner!




On to the challenge and the verse. I selected a surprise pop up card. There is a great tutorial on SCS for this card and the first one I ever made was a bit tricky, but once you get it figured out, it is a cute card to try to make.

You can find the creations by the rest of the design team on the home page here, and I urge you to read Grace's thoughts on her chosen devotional verse. I can think of many reasons why Jesus instructed his followers to pray in this way. Most relationships flourish best with one on one attention. This is no less true concerning our relationship with God. Shutting out all the noise of the world, shutting out the distractions, can help us focus our minds and hearts on that relationship and help us hear his gentle instructions for our lives.

I hope you can play along this week, we look forward to seeing your creations in the galleries!!! Wishing you a week filled with rich, relational time in prayer with the Lord.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (sentiment), Mark's Finest Papers "Greet the Day with Gerber"

Ink: Brilliance black

Paper: Basic Grey

Other: prismacolor pencils and gamsol, ribbon, ricrac die, rhinestones

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 80 . . . treasure

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the lovely Linda, who has selected this verse from Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Her challenge is 'Use something you treasure on your card - whether it be bling, flowers, something new or have been saving for a long time - show us your treasures!' And our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. They are offering a stamp set to one randomly selected participant from this week's challenge. To read Linda's devotional and to see the fabulous creations by the rest of the design team, please check the home page here.

I have two photos to show you at the top, one of the card I made and one of the beautiful stash of lovely papers and the stamp that a blogger buddy of mine sent me from Japan when she was living there with her husband, stationed in the military. She has now moved to Alaska, but I know her heart is aching for the friends she made and the country she lived in for a time with the tragedies that have struck that country.

I chose these items for this week's challenge because I had never inked up this stamp. You can see the beautiful white rubber it was made of in the second photo. It was so detailed and pretty, part of me was afraid. Another part didn't want to cut into that pretty paper because if I use it, then it will be gone. Mmm hmmm. Wonder why Linda chose this challenge?

I hold on too tightly to some things that are pretty silly. My pride, what if I used that stamp and the card didn't turn out so well? Guess I treasure my own opinion of myself too much. My stamp goods . . . and if I DID use every scrap of paper that I own (not possible) so what? Isn't that the point? I treasure my possessions too much.

What a week to be reminded of what is truly precious in this life. As I was making this card my heart was aching for the people of Japan. Four passenger trains missing and most probably swept away by water. People buried under mudslides triggered by the earthquake and now a nuclear issue growing . . . how many lives were changed in an instant?

I treasure my friends. I need to let them know that more and silly things like pride and politics and possessions and little disagreements; I don't want them to get in the way of relationship. I treasure the person who sent me the beautiful gifts pictured above. I treasure my family, my children. But most of all, when as we've seen life can change in a moment, I treasure the eternity that is secured through faith in Jesus Christ. If I lost a family member in such a tragedy as we've seen on the news recently, I don't know how I'd respond, frankly, I know I'd be devastated. But my children have all placed their trust in Jesus Christ too and we know we'd see each other again one day.

Wishing you all a good week. Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. Pray for others around the globe as God lays them on your heart.

Mark's Finest Papers . . . Fish you were Here

Welcome to the MFP March Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Just Dandy, African Veldt, Grandma's Boudoir, and Fish You Were Here.For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!
We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

All Blog Hop participants will have the chance to win a Month Long GUEST DESIGNER position on our Senior Design team! That’s right! ONE lucky winner will receive a Guest Designer package that will include April 2011’s Four New Release sets, a selection of Premium Papers, and beautiful embellishments. The winner will also receive a Guest Designer Watermark, Blog Button and have the choice to participate in the April 2011 Blog Hop!

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. EACH DAY that participants comment on all the Design Team blogs, their name will be entered once in the random drawing. Each participant has the opportunity to have his/her name entered up to four times. (There are four days of the blog hop, so there are up to four entries per person.) The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, March 12, 2011.

When I saw the bargello challenge that Joan Ervin posted about a week ago, I thought it would make a nice watery background.
This is proof that indeed I cannot cut a straight line with a ruler, because I did use my cutter, but its a bit off and my rows are slightly crooked. Cover it up with enough embellishments and no one will ever know without close examination! The fish in this set are so much fun to use because you can make them any color to match or contrast any DP. Thanks for looking and happy hopping!



FRIDAY, March 11, 2011-Fish You Were Here
Emily-
Karen-
Patty-
Roxie-
Vicki-
Liz:
Claudine-
Joanne T.
Dawn-
Nicole -
Marilynn-
Peggysue-
Connie –
Emily N.-
Neva
Silvia
Patricia
Chrissy
Guest Desinger, Ted
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers . . . Grandma's Boudoir

Hello all! This is day three of the newest release for March from Mark's Finest Papers. Today's set introduction is Grandma's Boudoir and although I am not part of the official hop, you can view my card as well as some of the other design team members on the home page here. Here are my creations using the cameo stamp from this set, for the whole reveal, see the home page for Mark's Finest Papers.

Mark's Finest Papers. . . African Veldt

Welcome to the MFP March Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Just Dandy, African Veldt, Grandma's Boudoir, and Fish You Were Here.For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!
We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

All Blog Hop participants will have the chance to win a Month Long GUEST DESIGNER position on our Senior Design team! That’s right! ONE lucky winner will receive a Guest Designer package that will include April 2011’s Four New Release sets, a selection of Premium Papers, and beautiful embellishments. The winner will also receive a Guest Designer Watermark, Blog Button and have the choice to participate in the April 2011 Blog Hop!

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. EACH DAY that participants comment on all the Design Team blogs, their name will be entered once in the random drawing. Each participant has the opportunity to have his/her name entered up to four times. (There are four days of the blog hop, so there are up to four entries per person.) The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, March 12, 2011.

I really like the images in this set and the font is too much fun. I am looking forward to playing with the larger silhouettes in the future, but for now I tried my hand at coloring in the giraffe. He's kind of peeping out to see what the hop is all about. :) Although if you look in the lower corner of the card, I managed to sneak in a silhouette stamp as well. Thanks for looking and best of luck!



WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2011-African Veldt

Lois
Vicky
Dawn L.
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Joanne T.
Claudine
Dawn M.
Nicole
Marilynn
Geri
Lynn
Emily N.
Patricia
Chrissy
Guest Desinger, Ted
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers . . . Just Dandy

Welcome to the MFP March Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Just Dandy, African Veldt, Grandma's Boudoir, and Fish You Were Here.For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!
We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

All Blog Hop participants will have the chance to win a Month Long GUEST DESIGNER position on our Senior Design team! That’s right! ONE lucky winner will receive a Guest Designer package that will include April 2011’s Four New Release sets, a selection of Premium Papers, and beautiful embellishments. The winner will also receive a Guest Designer Watermark, Blog Button and have the choice to participate in the April 2011 Blog Hop!

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. EACH DAY that participants comment on all the Design Team blogs, their name will be entered once in the random drawing. Each participant has the opportunity to have his/her name entered up to four times. (There are four days of the blog hop, so there are up to four entries per person.) The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, March 12, 2011.

Today's set is Just Dandy and I happen to love dandelions, when they're yellow, when they've gone to seed, whenever! I'm one of those neighbors that drives everyone else mad because I don't use any chemicals on my lawn and the more happy yellow nodding flowers the better!!!

I thought this stamp set posed an excellent chance to play with some Polar White flower soft and the best way to make the white pop was to stamp on black. So using white craft ink I stamped on the black cardstock and then once it dried, used prismacolor pencils to color in the stems, leaves and highlights. I also used a white gel pen to highlight the stems and the dandelion seeds. First card uses flower soft, second one does not, the grade of the flower soft I own seemed like it fit the larger dandelion in this set better than the smaller one. I had loads of fun with this set bringing a bit of Spring into my living room. I was able to use lots of green including the ribbon (a great shade for St. Patrick's Day) and a brighter shade from my Cosmo Cricket DeLovely paper pack. Enjoy the hop and best of luck!




TUESDAY March 8, 2011- Just Dandy

Lois
Vicky
Dawn L.
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Emily
Joanne T.
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Emily N.
Neva
Silvia
Patricia
Chrissy
Guest Designer Ted
Mark's Finest Papers

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 79 . . . flowers

Happy Sunday stampers! Its time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's hostess is the talented Chris, who selected this verse from Isaiah 40:7, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." For her challenge you must use a stamped flower on your card, DP and paper flowers don't count.

In case you haven't checked the main blog, we are welcoming three new design team members. Actually one is a returning founding member, Kristine, and we are so excited to have her back!!! And MariLynn will be joining us as well as Sabrina. You can find the news and see everyone's creations on the home page right here.

I look forward to reading Chris' thoughts on her chosen verse and what a treat to see the gallery blooming with flowers of all types! I am looking forward also to Spring, when it finally comes to our area of the country, and the flowers that will bloom. We are surrounded by a countryside filled with apple and cherry orchards and I hear the trees in late Spring are a spectacular sight. But as surely as we still are experiencing winter, season will follow upon season and after the blossoms fade, fruit appears and is harvested, we will plunge into winter again.

The word of the Lord however can always bloom in our hearts. This verse implies that all of life on this earth is temporary, but not God nor His word. Hoping you find time to bask in His word this week. Thanks for looking, please play along if you can. This week's sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps and one randomly selected winner will receive a $15 gift card to use in their online store.