Experiments with a New Cover Plate: Stitched

Good afternoon! Hope you are happily stamping or contemplating a new project! I am still enjoying a box of goodies I ordered two months ago and working my way through the contents. I'm experimenting with different looks for the tools and stamps inside so they aren't a single-use-toss-aside-for-the-next-great-thing. Know what I mean? I love shiny newness and all the pretties, but I am trying to maximize my purchases.

I'd been admiring the Cover Plate: Stitched and I have been playing with it although I am by no means done, I thought I'd share some initial projects. I was inspired by the watercolor wash challenge last week on Make it Monday and wondered what the wash would look like applied to the frame around an image. I also wanted to make it more of a true frame, so I cut out the center with scissors to show a panel underneath. The colors can be a bit strong sometimes and wash out what it in the center, but here are two. For the first one, I had an experimental piece left over from a card I made for the last customer blog hop at PTI and I didn't want to waste it. It fit perfectly in the cut out space in this card:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Gathered Garden, Keep Swimming; Paper: watercolor, gray, assortment of PTI colors (linen, smokey shadow, etc for die cuts); Ink: Ranger distress inks for watercolor wash, PTI for images; Dies: Cover Plate: Stitched, Gathered Garden, button, sequins, embossing powder, pink marker. 

Next, I fit in a blossom and sentiment from a set by Illustrated Faith. This fits the current sketch challenge at Mustard Seed Faith.

Stamps: Illustrated Faith; Paper: watercolor paper, Neenah solar white, PTI aqua mist; Ink: black, Ranger Distress vintage photo; Dies: Cover Plate: Stitched, Papertrey Ink; Other: Ranger distress markers, wink of stella, gingham ribbon, sequins

Then I thought what if I just colored in the leaves and vine that comprise the stitched portion of the design element in the plate? First I came up with this one, which my husband and daughter really like, although to my critical eye, I can tell I need more practice embossing fine-line images. Driving me crazy, but I did it three times and finally used the best one. I also trimmed the outside of the cover plate because I wanted a few more layers to show. This also fits the challenge at Mustard Seed Faith this week:

Stamps: Layers of Color (bible verse), Papertrey Ink Gathered Garden; Ink: Raspberry Fizz, copper; Paper: Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, pink scrap, green scrap; Other: Ranger distress markers, Gathered Garden dies (PTI), watermelon stickles, copper embossing powder

Then I just started playing with possible combinations using my distress markers. I started making notes for myself for various color combinations to keep as a (sloppy) reference guide for the future:

Then I made these...the scenes from the "Hills" series at Papertrey just about fit that space in the middle (Winter Hills, Autumn Hills, etc.) I made two; one for winter and one for fall. In this case I didn't cut out the middle, although you could without losing much of the image, I just layered it on top. 

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Winter Hills; Ink: Smokey Shadow; Paper: Papertrey white linen, watercolor paper; Dies: Papertrey Ink Cover Plate: Stitched; Other: Ranger distress markers, Tsukineko platinum ... something or other (bought it from Stampin' UP years ago), sequins, Wink of Stella

Frustrating thing, I know I own Autumn Hills, but I think it is at another location (our old house, in a box in the attic) so I will have to figure out a different image for the center. I just like the fall colors; it is my favorite season:  

 And lastly, I did use a wink of stella on the leaves and the hills in the winter card that don't show up on the larger photo, but here it is. Bought the pen a while ago and used it for the first time on this card series and when they say "wink" they really mean it, very subtle and understated.

Thanks for looking at my "experiments." Next I want to cut out the plate in colors, but I have a lot more difficulty with color play with cardstock, so that might take a while. Happy stamping!

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

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 113 . . .Fall colors

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

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

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

Divas by Design challenge 12 . . . a sketch!

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 105 . . . quiet colors

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 challenge 101 . . .de-stashing

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!

PTI Stamp a Faire challenge 10, CPS 228

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.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 85. . . Matthew 16:23

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week's sponsor is Designed to Delight and one randomly selected participant posting their card on the home page will win a $10 gift certificate to that store. I am the hostess this week and I selected this verse from Matthew 16:23 "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me satan!'" My challenge is for you to create a background on your card using tone on tone, either versamark on cardstock or purple on purple, brown on brown, etc. Please go to the main page for Stampin Sisters in Christ to see the gorgeous creations by the rest of the design team. My devotional is as follows:


Get thee behind me Satan. . .

Interesting choice of words to use with a follower, with a friend. Yet these are the words Jesus used with Peter when Peter pulled Jesus aside to admonish him for in the previous passages laying out the plan of salvation. Now it is true that Jesus would have to suffer and die on the cross and we don’t know the level of Peter’s shock or denial when he heard of this future suffering. We do know the reason Jesus said those words to Peter because of the statement immediately following, “for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Peter was trying to stand in the way of God’s plans. Lately this passage has been much on my mind, not only because Easter is approaching, but also because of personal challenges to get out of the way and let God’s will work in my life and those of my family members.

As just one example, my son feels led to enter the mission field, specifically feeling called to go to a remote part of the globe to help spread the gospel. I love my son and I’m proud of him for following God’s call. My mother’s heart, however, keys in on the word “remote.” And my vivid imagination has no trouble at all conjuring up poisonous vipers laced in every tree branch just waiting to drop down and bite him. Not to mention wondering when I’d see him again.

That’s just one example of where my quivering jellyfish insides worries about the what ifs, where I’m thinking of my agenda, of “the things of men” rather than being mindful of the things of God.

So what do I need to do? Support him, pray, trust God, and not pluck at my son’s sleeve telling him what a mistake he’s making, the way Peter tried to do with Jesus.

How often do we do that, even just in our thought life? A friend announces their intention to try foster care, to adopt an older child, to start their own business, or to downsize so they can serve the Lord better and what is our response? How often is it negative or instantly filled with doubts, with what-if scenarios? If the Lord truly is calling them to do these things, then our response should be to remember Jesus’ words, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Get out of the way. Let God work. And better yet, get on our knees to pray for their endeavors and look for any ways we can help.

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Thanks for looking and hope you can play along this week.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Turning a New Leaf, Waltzingmouse Stamps (sentiment), Layers of Color (flowers)
Paper: pink pirouette, cream
Ink: versamark, black
Other: ribbon, watercolor brush, reinkers

In the category of exciting news:
Lisa, our dear SSIC sister and owner of a brand new on line store, The Crafts Meow, just announced that the talented Nina Brackett will be designing stamps for The Crafts Meow, and that Alice Wertz and Sarah Martina Parker will be joining TCM as kit designers.

Lisa has created a Facebook Page! For every 100 fans by April 30th, she will be giving away a set of the four new stamp sets that were designed by Nina and will be released on May 1st! So click on over to facebook and become a fan! Thanks Lisa for your generosity!