O Come Let Us Worship! Word Art Wednesday

Hello and an early Merry Christmas!

Not sure if I'll be back on my blog before Christmas so I thought I should wish everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas.  I have my last (for 2018) Word Art Wednesday challenge to share today.

Here is my card for the Anything Goes - Family Friendly challenge.

Love this new stamp set (with coordinating die) from Stamp Simply Ribbon! It's called Christmas Trees Just happens that Stamp Simply Ribbon is one of our sponsors this challenge. Our other sponsor is Gracielle Design.  Two great sponsors!! Thanks so much to Sharon Johnson (Stamp Simply) and Gracie Chavez!

A little about my card: I used watercolor paper (140# cold press Strathford brand) and Prima Marketing watercolors for the background and also to add a little more color to the trees.  They were originally stamped with Archival (green). I matted the watercolor paper with a deep blue card stock and added it to a white card base.  The Scripture Art was printed on vellum and trimmed down and adhered to the card front. The verse is Psalm 95:6 and is a reminder for us to praise the Lord, kneel in adoration,  just as those shepherds that came after the angels announced the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It's hard to imagine how they must have felt, seeing the miraculous! The word that comes to mind is glorious!  And one day every knee will bow before the Creator.

Here are some tags that I made for my co-workers with the same stamp set. I added a green ribbon  to each tag.

Thanks for visiting and again, have a blessed Christmas!

 

Word Art Wednesday - O Little Town of Bethlehem

Hello Friends!
Hope you are having a delightful day. What happened to November? It just came and went. Now, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere but my house!  I still have my fall decor in place, yikes! Just a little bit on the busy side but my dear husband said he'd get Christmas stuff out of the shed for me today.  One thing though, I am ahead in my shopping for the kids and grandkids. Also, I'm in the home stretch for the Christmas luncheon at the church for the Ladies Ministry this Saturday and after that I will feel just a tad bit less stressed!  I'm expecting about 25 ladies for lunch, it's my way of thanking them for their prayer support and encouragement throughout the year.

Today is also Word Art Wednesday!  Another "Anything Goes - Family Friendly challenge.  Our sponsors for the two week challenge are Gina Marie Designs and Cutting Cafe.  Big thanks for our super awesome sponsors and also a big thanks to Karen Letchworth who leads us each challenge and is our faithful blog administrator.

Here is my card for this weeks challenge:

I've use a Penny Black stamp called  "Tweet Wreath" (I didn't use the bird stamp, only the wreath).

This stamp is both solid and outlined so I chose to use my Oxide Distress Inks (Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint, Lucky Clover, in that order); in the areas that were outlined I used PrimaMarketing watercolors (Decadent Pies and The Classics) to fill in the stamped area and the background.

I cut the watercolor paper to 4.5" x 4.5 and the red mat is cut 4.75" x 4.75" and the base is 5" square.

The Scripture Art was printed on white vellum.

The Scripture is from Micah 5:2 which is a prophecy concerning our Messiah Jesus Christ.  The prophet Micah declares that though Jesus would come from Bethlehem (house of God's bread - so cool, since He is the Bread of Life!), He did not begin there.  His goings forth are from eternity past. There was never a time that Jesus did not exist! (Read the Gospel of John chapter 1 and Revelation 22:13). There are so many prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled in regards to His coming to "dwell" among us and then to die and be raised from the dead.  He fulfilled the Word and kept the law for us.  I am so thankful that He has made us to shine like lights in this dark world. Hope you are shining brightly for Jesus this Christmas season.  Look for those opportunities to spread good will and the good news!  Have a blessed week.

Thanks for visiting!

Everlasting Mercy - Word Art Wednesday!

Hello Word Art Wednesday friends!

It's almost Thanksgiving here in the USA and I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe day!  I have so much to be thankful! I'm looking forward in spending time with a small gathering of the family over at my mom's home, unfortunately none of my adult children and their families will be joining us, most are out of town.

I know it's a busy season but hopefully you will be able to share some of your projects with us at Word Art Wednesday this week. The challenge is Anything Goes - Family Friendly.  Share up to 5 projects each week that the challenge runs.  We have two sponsors The Project Bin ($15) and Imagine That! (digital). Hope you will link up and share! I was blessed to be able to use this fabulous digital stamp set called Poinsettia from Imagine That!.  It has a lot of fun images and sentiments, too!  Love it!  When I was beginning to make my design for the card I wasn't sure which image to use. But I wanted to use my Copic markers, so I chose this swag and arranged it around the scripture art which I had printed on 80# Neenah bright white card stock. After coloring the four swags I fussy cut around the outside of the image.  The base is the 80# Neenah card stock and then I die cut the pattern paper (unknown but from my Christmas stash) with the Lawn Fawn Fancy Scallop Rectangle die. I put the layers together and I added the bows because it just needed something! I can easily duplicate this design and add a Christmas sentiment or choose a verse that is more Christmas-y to fit with the poinsettias. 

The Scripture chosen this week for our Word Art is Psalm 103:17

Please take the time to read this chapter in Psalms it is a wonderful testimony of God's goodness, His mercy, His compassion and healing virtues.  It's awe-inspiring to know that His mercy towards us is enduring.  This Psalm begins with praise and gratitude and if you ever find yourself at a loss of words, these verses will definitely help you get an attitude of gratitude, speak them aloud to the Lord. We are called to proclaim His praises.  I am so thankful for the Lord, that He saved me, redeemed me and calls me His own. It is a blessing to serve Him.

Have a blessed week and thanks for visiting.

Share His Wondrous Works - Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Hello and Happy Wednesday to you all!
Hope you are having a wonderful November day.  I'm blessed to share a card I made for Word Art Wednesdays Challenge.  We have awesome sponsors this challenge too: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and Stamp Simply Ribbon Store (Sa-weet!!) Link up to 10 new projects (5 a week) and be entered into the drawing.
Here is my card, I used an old and a new stamp set to create this card using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, who just happen to be celebrating their 11th birthday!  Congratulations to Korin and her talented design team.

Stamps sets used: (September release) Winter Birds and (older) Cocoa's Latte both from Sweet 'n Sassy.  Cocoa has a new release for the celebration this month, definitely check it out here!

I stamped the images with Archival Watering Can ink on 140# cold press watercolor paper.  All the images of the holly and assorted leaves and berries are from the stamps set called Winter Birds (LOVE all the little extra images!).  I've also stamped one of the holly sprigs onto the cup.  I've colored everything with Prima Classics and Decadent Pies watercolors.  I've used the Avery Elle die called Reversed Pink Rectangle, paper is the Bazzill Rain Forest card stock. I fussy cut Cocoa out and popped the image up with a strip of  3M Scotch double-sided foam tape.

Scripture Art this week is from Psalm 26:7

"That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,

And tell of all Your wondrous works."

Let us make sure we are "proclaiming" the goodness of the Lord! A song of gratitude is given as an example through David many times.  The book of Psalms is filled with thanksgiving and if you feel tongue-tied or have difficulty in expressing in words to the Lord how you feel about His wondrous works, borrow your words from David! (I know he doesn't mind if you do!!) After all it's our reasonable service to offer up the fruit of our lips to our God and King.  He is worthy and it's such a blessing to commune with Him in this way.  Our worship is in a sense our warfare and we go into the battle victorious as we proclaim all of God's wondrous works. Do me a favor this week and read Psalm 27, really digest it and meditate on it, read it aloud, read it as if the words were your own prayer and your own words of worship. Write them down, memorize portions that really speak to you. Make it so it is yours and see how the Lord will strengthen you and encourage you in whatever battle you face this week.  "God's Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Thanks so much for visiting!  Blessings to you this week.  Please pray for the USA.

Masculine Autumn Card - Word Art Wednesday

Hello friends and happy Wednesday to you all!

It's time for Word Art Wednesday's Anything Goes challenge  (Family friendly, of course!).

I've chosen to go quick and easy on this card. I've used 3 dies and with my Big Shot this was easy peasy! I love this autumn paper from Carta Bella called Fall Break.  So many wonderful papers in this collection, it was hard to decide which one to use.  This is from the 6x6 paper pad.

 We have 2 sponsors for this weeks challenge and they are  Pretty Little Studio and Stix 2 Anything (an adhesive prize package!)  Hope you will play along for a chance to win!  Don't forget you can enter 5x per week and the challenge is for 2 weeks.  That's your opportunity to enter 10 new projects to share with us!

Here is my card for the challenge:

Dies used: Taylored Expressions (Birch tree plate and Birch Tree Accessories - deer); Simon Says Stamp! Stitched Circle.  

Card Stock: Dark green, dk brown and Desert Storm, card base is Neenah 80# bright white.

No stamping, the Scripture Art is our Word Art that is available for free at Word Art Wednesday.  

This week the verse is from Proverbs 9:10. Proverbs is a book which focuses on practical living and is founded on this important admonition: wisdom begins with having a right relationship with the Lord.  I like how the New King James version puts it: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Having a relationship in the sense of having a reverent fear or awe of the Lord is the starting place. Finding wisdom truly begins with the fear of the Lord and in it comes knowledge, understanding and blessing. Some great verses to go along with this would be Proverbs chapter 1 and 2.  A wonderful thing about the book of Proverbs, there are 31 chapters so you could read a chapter each day of the month to go along with your other devotional reading you may do.  You can never get to much of God's Word hid away in your heart!

Have a wisdom-filled week!!

Thanks for visiting.

Let's Do Coffee! - Word Art Wednesday

Hello Delightful friends and family!

I have a fun card to share today that features a Graciellie Designs digital stamp, (who just happens to be one of our sponsors at Word Art Wednesday for this weeks challenge).  Here is a link to her Etsy site. This set is called "Stay Cozy" and it has some really fun sentiments to go along with a cup and tea bag.

I've used the Photo Play "Fall Breeze" collection of 12x12 designer papers and the 6x6 paper pad from the same line.  Love this collection of paper! My card base is Neenah Desert Storm and I've added a strip of dark brown card stock (probably Bazzill); the ribbon is from Michael's fall line of ribbons.  I've colored the image with Copics (YR14, YR24, R89, R39, E09, E25, E49, V06 and a colorless blender.)  The Scripture Art is from Galatians 6:2 and printed on Neenah Bright White 80# cardstock.

"Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2  This verse reminds us to be mindful of others, to care for others during times of need.  It really isn't complicated. I think it would be an excellent idea to read the complete chapter not just verse 2 if you really want to understand personal responsibility and being effective as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  If everyone would stop looking at "me, myself, & I" and begin to care for others, what a difference we would make in this "self focused" world! Everyone of us has a burden, a trial, something that weighs us down and if we would just help carry the load, the Bible says we would be fulfilling the law of Christ.  You may ask what is the law of Christ? Simply: it's love. Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another; By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Lord Jesus help each of us to reflect you and be mindful of those around us so that our obedience to Your word would draw others to You.

Well don't forget to link up with us your projects and get a chance to win a prize!  The challenge every week at Word Art Wednesday is Anything Goes - Family Friendly and runs for 2 weeks!  You can submit 5 new projects a week!  Two sponsors this week: Graciellie Designs and Honey Bee Stamps!!!!

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!  Invite a friend for a cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa whatever it might be and take time to be a friend or just a listening ear to someone in need.

The Lord is my Defense - Word Art Wednesday

Happy Fall Everyone!
I love this time of the year. Perfect weather here where I live.  We just got back from visiting our daughter in Lewiston and stayed at the cutest very rustic place.  The Lewiston Inn.  I will post some pics at the end.  But first I need to post my card for Word Art Wednesday (Anything Goes - Family Friendly) challenge blog.  I did come down with a nasty head cold, super scratchy throat (hurts to swallow even) and a very runny nose with the sinus headache to boot, no fun.  Thankfully this card was made a head of time because I'm sitting here with a tissue stuffed in my nose so I can type!

I made my own stencil with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaf die and made my own background.  Then die cut the middle piece with the Avery Elle Reversed Pinked Die.  I popped up the center piece with fun foam so there is separation from the "frame" of the die. The leaf is from the Lawn Fawn large stitched leaves and I colored it with Distress Inks and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  The card base is Bazzill Candy Corn (8.5 x 11) that I've cut to A2 size.  I've mat the Scripture Art with that same card stock.  Love the fall colors! (Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Spiced Marmalade, Barn Door and Gathered Twigs).

Here are a couple of pictures of the view from our room which was right near the river. We were too busy to go fishing but it was so nice to get away to this rustic way out in the country inn. It was so peaceful and a perfect getaway.  We hope to go back. The rooms were cozy and clean.

The pictures don't do it justice!

Thanks for visiting! And don't forget to play along with us at Word Art Wednesday.  Check out the blog and see who the sponsors are!!! You can link up 5 new projects each week.  Ok my head is definitely getting fuzzy and so I need to sign off.  Enjoy the week.

Be Brave, Be Strong - Word Art Wednesday challenge

Hey there!

It's time for another Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes (Family Friendly) Challenge!! Autumn is just a little over a week away and we are beginning to feel the cooler mornings here in northern California.  This is a beautiful time of the year, cool mornings with warm afternoons and evenings.  The sunsets have been gorgeous but I've not captured them on camera yet.

My card today definitely has the fall theme going with some colorful leaves to accent.  I've used some 140# cold press watercolor paper and Prima Decadent Pies and Classic watercolors to color, then die cut using the Lawn Fawn Stitched leaves dies.

Our sponsor this week is  Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.  I've used a sweet sentiment from the stamp set called "Thinking of You Rose" on the inside of the card (see second photo). I love the font on this sentiment! I've used a small leaf stamp from Photo Play to continue the Fall theme on the inside.  The Scripture art and the sentiment on the inside are a perfect match!  

Hope you will join us and link your project over at Word Art Wednesday for a chance to win a prize.

I've stamped the inside using Archival Tree Branch ink.  On the card front, I've diecut the Scripture Art using a Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle and a Spellbinder Scallop Circle die was used to cut from the bright yellowish-gold card stock (I think it's Bazzill). The pattern paper is Carta Bella Fall Break (6x6 paper pad).  The card base is a natural Neenah 80# c/s and I've added a dark brown layer, then a yellow-gold, then the pattern paper popped up with fun foam and then the Scripture art and leaves with some white with gold bakers twine and Doodlebug Designs Glossy Enamel Sprinkle embellishes the right side.

The Scripture this week is a wonderful admonition or encouragement for us to be on guard (like a soldier) for our enemy (the devil) is out to divide and conquer.  Boy do we ever see that today in every aspect of society.  Nothing weakens a nation like division.  So, although Paul is speaking in a spiritual sense to be watchful, stand fast in the faith, be brave and be strong, he is encouraging us as believers in Christ not to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but to stand strong like a soldier in the faith.  Even Jesus commanded us to watch (Matt 24:42, 26:41 and Mark 13:37).  The Old Testament has lots to say about being a watchman, warning others of danger.  And then we must be watching for the Lord's return too. I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit who enables and equips us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I must admit, within myself I am weak but with Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit I am ready for anything.  I'm ready to pray (which is a powerful privilege) and I have the Word of God for the battle, the sword of the Spirit.  In 1 Corinthians 16:14 the very next verse after telling me to be brave and strong it tells us: "Let all that you do be done with love" now that's something that will bring victory in my life.  I think, if we were all motivated by the love of Jesus working in us and through us, our nation wouldn't be in such a mess.  After all, the Word says they (the world)  would know we were Jesus disciples by our love for one another. This may rub you the wrong way but how is it love, if we don't warn others of sin.  Sin separates us from our loving Father.  Talking about sin isn't "politically correct" and it's the thing that creates division and disunity. Lord, expose the darkness and shine Your light through us who believe. 

God, please help us not to be spiritually blind but to repent and humble ourselves and walk in a way that pleases You. Only You can help us to be brave and strong and to love one another. 

Thanks for visiting!  Have a blessed week.

Teach Me and Lead Me - Word Art Wednesday challenge

Hello!
It's the last week of August! How can this be? Did your summer fly by too?
The grandkids started the new school year this week, my goodness they are getting so big. 

First day of school (Jake, Tucker, Riley & Addy)

I hope that this weeks Scripture art will bless you as it has me. It's Psalm 143:10  (see the end of the post) and I've made a card for our challenge over at the Word Art Wednesday blog (family friendly - anything goes). This weeks sponsors are Newton's Nook ($20 gift card) AND Polly's Paper Studio (digital).  Hope you will link up your creations with us!

Here is my card:

Ingredients:

I've used an embossing folder with autumn leaves on the top layer (5.25 x 4") not sure of the manufacturer of the folder (sorry!) it's not marked and the packaging is long gone!

I diecut using the Cottage Cutz cross-stitched squares for the two top pieces. The pattern paper is from Carta Bella (Fall Break 6x6 paper pad), the orange ribbon is from my "stash" I've collected over the years from a Taylor Expressions kit.  The natural hemp is from Darice. The Distress Inks used were Rusty Hinge, Aged Mahogany and Crushed Olive. My card base is a natural 80# Neenah card stock.  I've used a solid rust to cover the base front, also from the Carta Bella paper pad.  This card design was really quick to put together and there are a lot of options if you were to make a gift set.  I usually make sets of cards for my sisters who have birthdays in November.  This may be one of the designs! 

This weeks Scripture  is a plea from David to the Lord.  What a powerful chapter (be sure to read it all), it truly shows the frailty and humanity of David (just like us!) and we all go through trials no matter how long we've been serving Christ.  But David knew who to turn to and who to trust for deliverance. Sometimes we may think that God has forsaken us when we don't see the answers to prayer that we desire or the trial may be lasting much longer than we anticipated, whatever the situation might be... we need to cry out to the Lord to teach us and lead us because He is good and desires only the best for us. His righteousness insures us He will be faithful and it's His faithfulness that insures He will be righteous.  We can trust the Living God for He is compassionate and gracious and completely faithful to you! Great is His love for us. Be encouraged today - Jesus loves you so very much.

Thanks for visiting!  Don't forget to check us out at Word Art Wednesday!

Word Art Wednesday Challenge (348 & 349)

Hello!
Thanks for visiting! It's time for this weeks Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (Family Friendly!)  We have a couple of great sponsors for this challenge.  Pink and Main ($20 gift card) and Sweet 'N Sassy (digital images).  Consider linking up and playing along with us at WAW, the challenge lasts for two weeks and you can enter 5 new projects a week for a change to win one of the prizes!
Here is my card:

I used the MFT Sketch for inspiration and the pattern paper is from Carta Bella called Fall Break, the card stock I'm pretty sure is Bazzill (not sure of the actual color names but it is a sea foam green and orange sherbert color), I've used a natural white Neenah 80# for the base.  Easy peasy! The die is the Stitched Circle from Simon Says Stamp cut twice.

Here is the sketch I used:

The Scripture Art is from Philippians 2:4 "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" that's the King James Version.  Here it is in the New King James Version which makes more sense, sometimes Old English is hard to understand.  "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." It's definitely a good reminder on what kind of attitude we should have in regards to our neighbor, it shows the love of Christ by making sure we are looking out not only for ourselves but being a help to our neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ.

But to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure of an occasion that I would use this Scripture in the KJV on a card to encourage someone, so I've adhered it with repositionable tape for the sake of the challenge and will replace it with another verse or an image.  Just being real! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed week.

Birthday Fishes! Seize the Birthday challenge

Hello!

Here is a card I made for my son-in-law whose birthday is tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Ray!
We did some fishing over the 4th of July and so when I saw this stamp set, I knew I'd need it for all the "boys" in the family.  Actually we all love to fish! This stamp set is called Reel Great Guys from Art Impressions.  I'm entering this in the Seize the Birthday challenge with the topping "water".  This is my second card for the challenge.

I used my Zig Clean Color brushes for this and I got brave and made my own island in the background. The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn and I've used Strathford 140# cold press water color paper and a natural white Neenah card stock base.  I stamped the images with Archival Watering Can ink and used Silver Black Velvet brushes (#4 and #8), I've popped up the watercolor paper with fun foam for dimension.

Update on my daughter and the Carr Fire:  The evacuation has been lifted for her town of Lewiston, however the road to get there easily is still closed.  Last time she went the alternate route is was over 3 hours from her work where normally it would be 45 minutes.  Yikes! Please continue to pray for the firefighters and the displaced people here in California.  It is a mess and so sad to see.  But God is greater than the mess and He will provide and show Himself strong on behalf of those who love and trust Him.

Thanks for visiting!! 

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.  Jeremiah 31:3

What's at the Fair - card class August 16th!

Hi there!
Here is a sample of two of the cards I will be sharing in a class featuring the fun Lawn Fawn stamps Hay There and Coaster Critters.  The class will be Aug 16th at Scrapper's Edge in Eureka, Calif., I teach the CrafterNoon class twice a month! You can check out their website for more details.

If you are traveling through northern California, stop by and visit us at Scrapper's Edge!  There are many classes offered throughout the month, from altered art & journals, scrapbook pages and of course cards, too.  You can even sign up online ahead of time (we need reservations and payment 2 days in advance of the class.)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalms 119:105

Best Fishes for a Happy Birthday! #Seize the Birthday

Happy Saturday to my Delightful friends and family!

Here is a card I just finished for Henry's birthday. (Henry is my daughter's fiance's son, so he is our future grandson who is turning 5!)  Today is his birthday but his party is next week and HOPEFULLY we will be able to attend. 
They are in Lewiston which has been evacuated because of the Carr Fire. Please continue to pray! The firefighters are working hard to keep the fire from advancing over the fire lines near the town of Lewiston, so please pray. 141,825 acres have burned and it's only at 41% contained. Lord help!

Here is a picture of Henry's card, who by the way is a pretty great fisherman at the age of 5 and his favorite color is blue!  I will be linking this at the Seize the Birthday challenge.  The topping this week is water, well this is a stretch but what lives in the water: Fish and I've added a layer in blue pattern paper from BoBunny called Escape to Paradise.

Here is the inside:

I've used 3 stamp sets for this card:

Whipper Snapper: First Fish; Art Impressions:Reel Great Guys set; Darcie's Heart & Home: JCS209 (inside sentiment)

I've colored the front image with watercolors and the inside fish was colored with Copic markers and added clear Wink of Stella to make it shiny like fish scales 😃. The sentiments were stamped with Archival Cobalt ink and I've used a Spellbinder die to cut the inside sentiment and frame.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Fabulous Fuchias - Card Class

Hello!
I'm doing a class today at Scrapper's Edge, our local Scrapbook store in Eureka.
We will be making three cards featuring the Avery Elle stamp set called Hummingbird. 

Here are my card samples:

Class is from 1 to 3, so I know the ladies won't have time to finish all the cards, they are watercolored so I've done a lot of the prep work, such as die cutting, cutting the card stock to size, etc.  I've stamped and embossed the one card so it's ready to color.  The class includes all the supplies they would need to use including an envelope and an instruction sheet, for this class they just bring their watercolors and brushes as well as a Basic kit consisting of trimmer, scissors and adhesive.  If you are in the Eureka (northern Calif.) area or have plans to visit you should check out our website and see if there are going to be classes during the time you are here. You can sign up and pay online for your convenience and we like it if you would sign up at least 2 days before class so the instructors (like me!) have time to prepare for class.  Most of our card classes range from $15 to $18 which I think is really reasonable!  So check out the website here and see what we have to offer.

Praise the Lord.  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands.  Psalm 112:1

On the Calendar:

Next class that I will be teaching features Lawn Fawn stamps and dies and relates to what you find at the fair.  The local county fair is in August so I thought that would be a fun one to do.  I will post the card samples soon!  I'm working on September class samples this week!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed week!

Celebrate the Work of the Lord - Word Art Wednesday #346 & #346

Hello!
Thanks for visiting! It's already time for the Word Art Wednesday Challenge can you believe it!  August 1st is here and it seems like summer hasn't really even started yet! Hope you will be able to join us and share your crafty Anything Goes - Family Friendly creation with us! Our two sponsors are Neat & Tangled ($25 gift card) and Cutting Cafe (digital prize). Remember you can link up 5 new projects each week (cards, scrapbook pages, Bible journaling, mixed media, etc.)

Here is my card this week and I did a lot of masking on this to give the banner more flowers around it.  It's all from one stamp set called "Best Buds" from Paper Smooches. I've colored it with Zig Clean Color Real Brushes (Kuretake) and I've also used Prima - The Classics watercolors.  The backgound paper is Carta Bella Fall Break and the watercolor paper is 140# cold press (Strathmore). I've stamped the images using Archival Ink Watering Can and embellished with a few sequins.

Our Scripture Art this week is Psalm 92:4

It's a psalm of thanksgiving! We do have so much to be thankful for and especially as we see the hand of God at work in our lives.  To give thanks to God is such a small thing when you compare it to His goodness towards us but it truly is our "reasonable service" not only to praise Him for His goodness but live so that others can see His goodness in us.  C.H. Spurgeon said, "When God reveals His work to a man, and performs a work in his soul, He makes his heart glad most effectually, and then the natural consequence is continual praise."  I say "Amen" to that!!

  Please keep California in your prayers!  We are being hit hard with fires this summer and it keeps hitting closer to home.  Many of our friends in Redding (Carr Fire) had to be evacuated, and we thank the Lord that most have now been able to return to their homes. Now that fire is spreading west into Trinity County and there is still the threat of more acres being burned.  Our daughter was evacuated from the town of Lewiston Sunday night and has been in contact with some of the residents who chose to stay and so far so good.  The fire is still a couple miles from the town but its in such a rural area it's a tough one to fight. Our specific prayer is that the winds would die down completely, that is one of the reasons for it spreading so rapidly in addition to the mountainous terrain. Please keep all the firefighters in your prayers, too. This fire has been burning for over a week.
We are on the coast about 2 hours away from the fire in Redding, then to the south of us about 3 hours is the Mendocino fire and three hours to the northeast of us is the southern Oregon fire in Grants Pass. It's just devastating. Worst fire season ever. So many affected. But we are praying for the Lord to be glorified through these tragic events and that people would realize how fragile life is and  turn to Him.

Thanks for your prayers!

The Lord will Guide you - Word Art Wednesday 344 & 345

Greetings!
Hope this finds everyone of you well and blessed, enjoying the summer.  We have another Anything Goes Family Friendly challenge for you at Word Art Wednesday! Hope you will be encouraged to share your art work with us.  It's wonderful to see so many upload their creations.  Mostly it's cards but occasionally we will see some journal pages, scrapbook pages and I'm hoping we will see more Bible journaling pages! I need to get busy and work in my Faith journal, too and so I love to see ideas! Korin at Sweet 'n Sassy stamps has some wonderful pages that she has done and she will be one of our sponsors in November (Yay!!)
This week our Scripture art is from Isaiah 58:11 and here is my card for the challenge. I used a few dies and a punch to help design this card. (there is a list at the end of the post of the ingredients) 

Today's Scripture influenced my choice of colors and paper, I wanted to make sure it represented a spring of water and a garden that was flourishing.

 I hope you will take the time to read all of Isaiah 58 because there are some conditions noted by the word "if" and "then" that the Lord has spoken through Isaiah.  It was a rebuke of their shallow worship in the first few verses because the Lord wanting to guide them, needed for them to stop with their empty religious ritual and worship Him with a devotional true heart and walk according to His will. And then, to the truly repentant worshiper comes the promise of blessings.  This chapter is an eye-opener, I hope you will take the time to read it and really "chew" on it!  And if there are changes that need to take place in your life then make the changes and expect the blessings! God is faithful!

Ingredients to card:

Paper: green, light blue and dark brown card stock; Pattern Papers: BoBunny Escape to Paradise 6x6 paper pad

Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside border; Cottage Cutz Leaves and Stems; Taylored Expressions Branches, Banner & Bloom die set; Punch: Marvy Uchida small flower; Nuvo Jewel Drops, strawberry.

Thanks so much for visiting and please remember to check out the Word Art Wednesday Blog for the 2 week challenge which begins today.  2 prizes are going to be given out and our sponsors are The Project Bin and Iralamija (digital).  You can link up 5 new projects each week!

Life is Good - Word Art Wednesday #342 and #343

Hello and Happy 4th of July to my Delightful friends and family!!

All the kids and grandkids are out of town camping so my hubby and I are going fishing at the lagoon! I finally got my fishing license for 2018! Yay!  If I get a big one I will be sure to share the details with a picture! After that we will either go to a BBQ with friends or come home and take a nap. We are such exciting folks. 😀 Although, I'll more than likely let hubby rest and I'll play in my craftroom or the very least clean and organize it so that I can play, it's kind of a disaster.

Today is also Word Art Wednesday Challenge day and I have a card to share with you.  Be sure and check out the challenge blog for all the fun inspiration and if you can, share with us your latest creation.  It's Anything Goes - Family Friendly and you can link up 5 new projects each week for this 2 week challenge #342 and #343.  We have 2 prizes to give away from our sponsors: Jane's Doodles (digital) and Wild Orchid Crafts. 
Here is my card:

I've used the stamp set called "Life is Good" from Jane's Doodles (our sponsor!). The set includes the jar, fruit, straw and some fun sentiments too.  I've added all the fruit to the yellow card stock and stamped them in Archival Yellow Chrome for a monochromatic background. The jar was done by stamping on watercolor paper.  I stamped the jar in Archival Shadow Grey ink and then masked the three lemon wedges and stamped them with Yellow Chrome.  I used Prima Decadent Pies (watercolors) to color with and a Zig Clean Color real brush (yellow) to add the finishing touches to the lemon rinds.  The top portion of the card was die cut with a die that came with my Big Shot and then I used the same die to cut out the Scripture Art and did an inlaid die technique. I've popped up the pattern paper (Echo Park Hello Summer) and tied the WeR Memory Keepers blueberry baker's twine to the side. My base is white 80# Neenah card stock.

You can grab the Scripture Art (it's free!) and use it for any of your projects at Word Art Wednesday, it's optional to create with, but it's fun to see the different projects our team does each challenge using the same Scripture.
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!  Have a safe 4th of July and a blessed week!

You are the Potter - Word Art Wednesday (340 & 341)

Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

Here is my card for this weeks Word Art Wednesday!  Our sponsor is Stamp Simply Ribbon Store and Imagine That! (digital).  I hope you'll be able to play along - you have 2 weeks to play and can link up 5 new projects a week.  The challenge is Anything Goes - Family Friendly.  We have so many great projects/cards linked up each week, it is so encouraging seeing so many play along.  Thanks so much to our two sponsors for provided the prizes!!! Be sure to visit their blogs and be inspired by their design teams!

Ingredients: 

Stamp: Thinking of You Rose (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store - our sponsor this week!); I stamped it with Distress Ink Victorian Rose to give it a "no line" watercolor look. 

Zig Clean Color Real Brush: Light Carmine, Olive Green, Mid Green, Yellow, and Pink.  Silver Black Velvet brush #4

Paper: Base (Neenah bright white 80#); Designer Paper: Beau Jardin (Penny Black 6x6 paper pad); Strathmore 140# cold press watercolor paper.

Dies: Lawn Fawn Peek A Boo Backdrop; Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle and Scallop Circle dies;           

  I printed the Scripture Art on white vellum.

I probably should have put a little more thought into this card to fit the verse.  If I were to do it again, I would put the rose in a pottery container!

What a wonderful verse to remind us that we have been created by our heavenly Father. He knows each imperfection in this clay called Natalie! He tenderly keeps molding and forming me into His Son's image and when there is a nick or mar in me, He gently works on that area of my life and in His timing and His adjustments in the temperature He smooths over those spots to remove the wrinkles or sometimes it's just a little washing of Word in my life that produces something beautiful in His eyes. I am so grateful that I am in His hands. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit! And have a blessed week.

Blessed is the Man - WAW #338-339

Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

Sorry I'm late in posting this card for the Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  We have a wonderful sponsor this week - LAWN FAWN!  Yay! One of my favorite companies.  Love their cute stamps, interactive dies and fun papers!

Here is my card using 2 Lawn Fawn Dies: Forest Border and Stitched Mountain Border, the moose is a stamp from the set called Critters from the Arctic and the paper is Let's Polka in the Meadow (6x6 petite paper pack).  I've water colored the moose using Prima Marketing watercolors (Decadent Pies - yummy colors!)

So I thought this worked out well with the Scripture making this a masculine card, perfect for Father's Day coming up in a couple of weeks.  Hope you will join us in the Anything Goes, Family friendly challenge at Word Art Wednesday!  You can link up 5 new projects each week for the two week challenge.  Wouldn't you love to win a $25 gift card to Lawn Fawn?  Well you can't win if you don't play so head over to the WAW blog and check out the inspiration and join the fun.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Forever Faithful - Word Art Wednesday

Hello Delightful friends and family!

You know what time it is! Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge day!  It's challenge #336 & #337 and hope you can take some time to join us for our twice a month challenge.  We have 2 sponsors this challenge, $15 from the Project Bin and an adhesive package from Stix to Anything.  Thanks so much to our generous sponsors! We had over 300 entries last challenge!!  Thanks so much for sharing your projects with us.

Here is my card for the challenge:

I have to be honest, this card was a total flop, I was trying to freehand some flowers, specifically a loose rose design.  I had gotten a pretty new watercolor tube called Quinacridone Magenta by Daniel Smith and I was excited to try it out. So I was trying a different technique I had seen an artist use but my outcome was an epic failure.  However, as I tell the ladies in my classes at Scrapper's Edge, let's make this a "flop-ortunity" and so that's what I endeavored to do!  I added some doodles with a Micron Pen and added the Scripture art to the center and voila! A card is made. Just as a sidenote, I'm not giving up on learning these different techniques, I know they take practice, lots of practice and patience on my part! So, I am willing to be patient, to practice and then practice some more to perfect these techniques.  

Our Scripture this week is from Psalm 48:14, it reminds us that God is who He says He is and will continually guide us forever. I'm so glad I can trust Him to lead me and guide me along this life.  I love His faithfulness, even when I don't deserve it.  After all, His grace is sufficient and I know His Word stands firm.  I am so blessed and confident that nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

That's it for me today! It's been a crazy few days, please keep my 80 year old mother in your prayers.  She had knee replacement surgery on Friday and is recovering and it's been very painful.  Physical therapy will be starting in a few days and that's pretty hard on her but we know she will benefit from all of it very soon!