Seasons

I love Fall don't you? The colors of the leaves are so inspiring!  I need to make around 35 ATCs (Artist Trading Cards in case you aren't familiar with them) for my church this week.  As I was thinking about what to use, I kept coming back to leaves and the beautiful Fall season.

Kitchen Sink Stamps has a gorgeous set, Autumn Squirrel, that includes 2 leaves and 2 sizes of acorns - perfect!  So I started out by making some background paper.  It wasn't really that hard either.  I just started by stamping all my step 3s, and then step 2s and then, of course, step 1s. I changed the colors a bit and added more leaves, then some acorns and finally the great script stamp from 3 Step Letters From the Past also from Kitchen Sink Stamps.  Here's what I ended up with.

I'll get 10 ATCs out of each sheet so I only need to make 3 1/2 of these, not too bad!!  After I cut it up, I added the verse, which was printed on the computer, diecut, sponged and stamped with the small acorn.

I try not to add too much "stuff" to these since more steps really takes a ton of more time when you're making 35!! And they also need to fit into clear sleeves in an ATC album.. I think the brightness of  the leave and the mix with the text stamps gives these plenty of interest!

Here are my first 10 done, hopefully I can finish them up today!  Thanks  for visiting - please take a few minutes to visit the rest of the KSS Crew!!  Have a beautiful day!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

3 Step Autumn Squirrel 3 Step Letters from the Past Neenah Natural White (Cream) Cardstock Acrylic blocks Stamp Storage Memento Ink Pads

InLinkz.com

Speaking with Kindness

 It was my turn this week to issue the challenge on Salt.  Please visit the Salt blog to see all the wonderful projects from the design team.  My post is copied below. 

I have been particularly burdened with verses about our speech lately. As often happens when you have children, I hear them making unkind comments, hear them yelling at each other or saying things that they shouldn't. I have been trying to impress upon them the need to speak to each other with kindness and love - or just not speak at all if that is not possible!

Personally I have always been convicted by Proverb 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." The note for that verse in the Geneva Study Bible says "Her tongue is a book by which one might learn many good things: for she delights to talk of the word of God." Ouch! Is my speech such that my children "learn many good things?" I desperately want that to be true!

In her book, The Virtuous Woman, Vicki Courtney has a whole chapter about speech. The last paragraph sums it up very nicely:

"A virtuous woman . . . speaks with wisdom because she wisely considers her words because she wisely considers her words before she opens her mouth. When in the presence of gossip or hearsay, the law of kindness remains on her tongue. With an awesome fear of the Lord, she is quick to remember ' that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken' (Matt. 12:36)."

If you'd like to participate in our challenge, please leave a link on the Salt blog.  Thanks for visiting!

Cardstock:  Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink), Naturals Ivory (SU!), Patterned Paper:  Jillibean Soup, Stamps: All Booked Up (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Ribbon (SU!), rhinestones (Taylor's Tiny Twinkles), gold paint pen, Spica pen, Copic markers.

ATC Swap cards

Happy Tuesday!  I recently participated in an ATC swap over in The Cat's Pajamas forum on Splitcoaststampers.  I am anxiously awaiting the return of the swap - the other participants are all rockstar stampers and I know these will be fabulous - but I thought I'd share my ATC here today.  It just so happens that the colors I use also perfectly fit with last week's TCP Tuesday (127) challenge - love that! :)

I used A Whale of a Time for my ATC and a quick simple layout but lots of cutting!  I used one of my favorite Cut-Ups from TCP for the waves and the Button Flower and Button are also from The Cat's Pajamas, as is the Divine Twine and the felt . . . aaaah I just love TCP! :)

How about that purple whale?  He seemed kinda funky and fun to me - with his black rhinestone eye and polka dots which were added with a Copic colorless blender.  The hat was stamped on some twill ribbon that I first stiffened with Strano Ribbon Stiffener - cool stuff!

That's me for today, I'm soooooo hoping to have time for this week's challenge - check out all the details on Alma's blog!  Have a great day my friends!

Salt Challenge: Home

This is my second post today, please scroll down for Jana's Birthday Hop!

The topic for today's Salt Challenge comes from Ruth and is Home. What makes one and how does Jesus make mine different to other homes.  What a great question!  Please take a minute to read Ruth's post on the Salt blog and look at the beautiful projects that the design team prepared.

As I thought about this a few things came to mind, the verses about my household serving the Lord, and on the Christian's job to be salt and light, but in the end I chose I Cor. 10:31 for my ATC.  "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  Probably most people are familiar with this catechism question, "What is the chief end of man?" Answer: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."  Our highest duty, whether at home, work, school, or wherever is to bring glory to God.

Everything we do in our house to make it a home should be toward this end.  As John Piper puts it, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him!"

My ATC is fairly simple, I used sunburst paper from Scenic Route and added a bit of stitching with some DMC thread.  The verse was printed and then die cut using a Spellbinders ribbon slide tag.

Have a wonderful day!

Cardstock:  Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Grafton (Scenic Route), Stamps: flourish from Take Note (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Accessories:  Swarovski crystal, Spellbinders die, Summer Sunrise Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Tag corner punch

Salt Challenge - Penitence

Today's Salt challenge comes from Lythan and is on Penitence.  You can read Lythan's write-up on the Salt blog.  For my project today I used Psalm 51:17 where David says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart - these, O God, you will not despise."  Matthew Henry describes the penitent heart as ". . . a heart breaking with itself, and breaking from its sin; it is a heart pliable to the word of God, and patient under the rod of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender, like Josiah’s, and trembles at God’s word. Oh that there were such a heart in us!"

My ATC today is a bit out of my comfort zone but I felt that the subject called for a different look.  I  printed my verse and die cut it with Nestabilities and then sponged all around the edges using Distress Ink.  The stamp is from Papertrey Ink's Life set and was stamped using Weathered Wood Distress Ink which seemed to go well with the Basic Grey paper (from the Perhaps line).  I sat forever looking at this trying to decide how to embellish it but in the end I left it pretty plain - only adding some brads and a teeny, tiny little crumpled flower made of the same dp.

Please visit the Salt blog today to view the rest of the design teams work and if you feel inclined, we'd love to have you join us in the challenge!  Please leave a link if you do.  Thank you so much for visiting today - have a wonderful day!

Cardstock: Buckaroo Blue (SU!), Ivory (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper: Perhaps collection (Basic Grey), Stamps: Life (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Weathered Wood (Distress Ink, Ranger), Accessories: Nestabilities, Ribbon (SU! - colored with a Copic marker), Brads (SU!), Button (Papertrey Ink), corner rounder punch

Salt Challenge - Daily

Our Salt challenge this week is from Tanis on being a Daily Christian.  Please go to the Salt blog and read her write up. 

I chose to use this verse from Psalm 139:16, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before they came to be."  Just a reminder that God not only knows what will happen to us each day - what we eat, what we say, where we go, who we have contact with - but He ordained it all!  If we remember this, remember that God has planned all our days and truly cares what happens to us, maybe we will strive to live for Him daily - to be a Daily Christian.

For my ATC today I used some pretty new dp from My Mind's Eye Love Me Do collection.  The sun stamp is from Scattered Shower Additions from Papertrey Ink.  I printed the verse on vellum and overlaid it on my Nestabilities label.

We would love to have you play along with our challenge today!!  If you do, please link your project to the Salt blog so that we can see it! Have a wonderful day!  Oh and remember to comment on this post and this post for a chance to win some great prizes!!

Cardstock:  Terracotta Tile, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper:  Love Me Do Head in the Clouds and Forever in Plaid (My Mind's Eye), Stamps: Scattered Shower Additions (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest (Papertrey Ink), Accessories:  Foam adhesive, Terracotta Tile Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), rhinestones, Nestabilities Label Eight (Spellbinders)

Salt Challenge - I Corinthians 13

Continuing in my theme of love this week (funny how things just seemed to happen that way!), the Salt challenge this week from Stacy is I Corinthians 13 known to most as the "love chapter."  You hear this chapter read a lot at weddings don't you?  I think of this chapter as being similar to Proverbs 31 but for everyone.  The characteristics of love here are definitely something that we should all aspire to, all work for, all remember daily.

For my ATC today I used a stamp from Paper Pretties (it's one of my stamps in the Precious Pretties line - but I can't find the link at the moment).  However, I only used part of the stamp by masking it - the stamp is of the whole chapter.  My background "Love" was printed on the computer.  I used a Nestabilities heart which I then embossed with the Swiss Dots folder to break up the text.  I used a Clear Glaze pen on each of the dots which gives it a neat extra touch.

Please visit the Salt blog to see all the wonderful creations by the rest of the team.  We'd love for you to join us and create a project inspired by I Cornithians 13.  Leave us a link if you do so we can see it!  Thank you for taking the time to visit today!

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Stamps: I Cor 13 (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Nestabilities, Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), corner rounder punch, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions), Clear Glaze pen

Salt Challenge: Joy

Happy Christmas Eve my friends!  I know everyone is busy busy busy today getting ready as are we so I'll try to make this quick.  Our Salt challenge this week is Joy - specifically the joy that can be found in Jesus.  Please read Ruth's post on the Salt blog.

For my ATC today I just used the word "Joy" from the Wings of Joy set from Taylored Expressions.  I simple masked off the birdy when I stamped it.  I love the way the paper pieced letters turned out, even with all the cutting! :)  The dp is from Making Memories - so pretty with the foil berries!

Cardstock:  Green (Bazzill) Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper:  Making Memories, Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Copic markers, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions), Ribbon (SU!), Clear Glaze pen, Spica pen

Salt Challenge: God With Us

I finally finished my Salt Challenge - never having more than a few minutes at any one time to work on it really dragged the process out!

Please take a minute to read Pauline's write-up on the Salt blog.  This week's theme is "God with us" taken from Isaiah 7:14 " a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel."  I love this stamp from Unity called Prince of Peace, which includes the names for Christ as given in Isaiah 9:6, it seemed perfect for my ATC!

I'll just leave you with a link to another one of my favorite songs from Michael Card - it's most appropriate.

Immanuel

Have a great weekend!

Cardstock:  Riding Hod Red (SU!), Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper: Merry Wishes (Daisy Bucket Designs), Stamps: Prince of Peace (Unity Stamps), sentiment fro Take a Bough (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Black (Memento), Riding Hood Red (SU!), Accessories: Paper ribbon (Daisy Bucket Designs), foam adhesive, Copic markers, Nestabilities, Distress Stickles (Ranger)

SALT Challenge: The Final Word

It's time for another Salt Challenge and today's challenge comes from Tanis, her topic is Listening to God. Please visit the Salt blog to read her excellent write-up. As I spoke to my husband about this topic, he put me on a bit of a different track. As Christians we desire to know God's will, to hear His voice and follow His path. My husband pointed me to Hebrews 1:1-2 where it says: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe."

Jesus is God's final word to mankind. Matthew Henry calls us to examine "God's method of communicating his mind and will [in these] last days as they are called . . . . The times of the gospel are the last times, the gospel revelation is the last we are to expect from God. There was first the natural revelation; then the patriarchal, by dreams, visions, and voices; then the Mosaic, in the law given forth and written down; then the prophetic, in explaining the law, and giving clearer discoveries of Christ: but now we must expect no new revelation, but only more of the Spirit of Christ to help us better to understand what is already revealed." (Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Hebrews 1." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2009. 17 Sep 2009.)

As we seek to listen to God we should be careful to not seek God apart from His Word and His final Word - the son, Jesus Christ. I was reminded of another song by Michael Card which I've added here for you to hear and read. The text is based on Hebrews 1:2 and sums it up perfectly.


Lyrics | Michael Card - The Final Word lyrics

My ATC today uses a portion of Hebrews 1:2 and focuses on the incarnation of The Final Word - Jesus. The stamp is from Paper Pretties, The Nativity. I hope you visit the rest of the Salt team to be blessed by their work on this topic. We also invite you to play along and leave us a link!

Cardstock: White (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper: retired, Stamps: The Nativity (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Foam adhesive, paper piercer, Nestabilities, Copic markers, rhinestones

Salt Challenge: Guidance

Today was Stacy's turn to challenge the Salt team. Her topic was Guidance and the verse she gave us was Psalm 25:5:

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, on You I wait all the day."

Read Stacy's write up on the Salt blog and take a look at all the beautiful projects made by the team.

Friends, my brain is mush today . . . busy, busy, busy, so much going on life with homeschooling, children, family, friends, business, etc., etc. I think my only response to this can be "on You I wait all the day!" How can I possibly survive and do all the things that I need to do? I am reminded of a verse that I claimed my senior year in college, "I would seek unto God and unto God would I commit my cause, which doeth great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number." (Job 5:8-9)

For my ATC today I printed the verse and used one of Papertrey Ink's newest sets Autumn Abundance. I went with a "French country," blue, white & yellow color scheme. Time to get working on that list . . . ! :)

Cardstock: Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Memory Box, Stamps: Autumn Abundance (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Memento, Assessories: Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Brad (Pink Hedgehog Crafts), pinking shears, Nestabilities, Copic markers, foam adhesive

SALT Challenge - Jeremiah 29:11

Good afternoon friends!! Late post today . . . all this going to the lake is catching up with me - tee hee! I fell asleep last night around 9 pm and got no work done at all!! So today, we decided to stay home and get some work done (besides, it's supposed to be a teeny bit cooler today).

Anyway, the challenge this week is from Ruth. She chose a verse from Jeremiah 29:11 and her topic was Purpose. Read her write up on the Salt blog. She asks a question at the end of her post: "How does your faith make you think differently about your PURPOSE?" Great question! As a believer our PURPOSE is no longer to live for self but to glorify God. Everything we do or say should be for that PURPOSE alone. When I was young and would attend summer camp, we quoted the same verse before every meal: "Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).

I am also reminded of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. As he was riding into the city on the back of a donkey, the disciples began to "rejoice and praise God with a loud voice" (Luke 19:37). When they were rebuked by the Pharisees, Jesus told them "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" Luke 19:40. ALL creation praises God, shouldn't we?

The ATC I created today uses the verse Ruth gave us, Jeremiah 29:11. I used the cute little flower stem images from Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink), after all the flowers certainly glorify God don't they?

If you'd like to play along with this week's theme, please leave a comment on the Salt blog so we can all see your creation! Have a wonderful day!

Cardstock: Green (Bazzill), White (GP), Patterned Paper: Scenic Route, Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Pear Tart (Memento), Accessories: Buttons (Papertrey Ink & Pink Hedgehot Crafts), Ric Rac (May Arts), Twine (Papertrey Ink), Corner Rounder punch

SALT Challenge - Jonah

Good morning! Today I have this week's Salt Challenge for you brought by Pauline. You can read her wonderful comments on the Salt Blog.

The topic this week was the life and story of Jonah. As I thought and spoke to my husband about Jonah we both were struck by how many opportunities Jonah was given by God to obey and receive God's blessing. Jonah was certainly stubborn, wasn't he?! It took 3 days in the belly of a whale (can you say eeeeewwwwww!!!) to cause Jonah to repent and obey. But even then, Jonah still had "issues!" He complained and became mad at God for His tender mercies and willingness to forgive the Ninevites.

We are so like Jonah at times, aren't we? I know how stubborn I can be and how sometimes it seems God has to bring me low in order to show me my sin. But you know the amazing part? After and despite all that Jonah went through, all the running from God, the pride, the disobedience, the complaining and self-pity, God still forgave Jonah and mightily used him!! Jonah's ministry to Ninevah caused the whole city to repent and turn to God. That is such a blessing to me! Those chosen by God are used by Him in spite of our shortfalls!

Which is why I chose this verse, Philipians 1: 6 "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." God didn't just give up on Jonah when he refused to obey and go to Ninevah, He continued His work in Jonah's life until His purpose was accomplished.

I decided to make an ATC today (and may go with this size for all future challenges so that I have a nice collection at the end). I used the new Papertrey Ink stamp set, Floral Fusion, which was your "gift" for purchasing a certain amount of product at the CHA Super Show.

Please visit the Salt blog and see what projects the other team members made. We'd love to have you play along and if you do, leave a comment with a link to your project. Have a wonderful day!

Cardstock: White (GP), Hibiscus (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Ducks in a Row (October Afternoon), Stamps: Floral Fusion (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Hibiscus, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Black (Memento), Accessories: Spring Moss Twill (Papertrey Ink), Spiral Clip, Foam adhesive

Prettie ATC

Good Afternoon!! I'm so sorry to be late today! It was Emma's 7th birthday yesterday - we had lots of party prep to do and company for dinner & cake and ice cream. Plus I have a terrible head cold so when the guests were gone home and the children were tucked in bed I crashed and fell fast asleep until 7 a.m. today.

But enough whining . . . I decided to make an ATC for today since I really love making them. Something about the small canvas that makes it so challenging and fun! I used Flutterby Sophia from Paper Pretties - one of my favorite stamps. She is so cheery and cute! I colored her with Copics (the polkadots were done by using the Colorless Blender to remove color after the dress was colored pink - love that!). The sentiment was stamped on a thick piece of plastic (actually a stamp box) which was cut out using Nestabilities.

What do you think? Hope it was worth the wait! ;) I just realized that we're coming up to the end of the month . . . that means new releases from Paper Pretties are just around the corner on May 1st. Wait until you see what we have - totally fabulous!! See you tomorrow for another Prettie Wednesday!

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart, White (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: unknown, Stamps: Flutterby (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Stazon, Accessories: Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Swarovski crystals, Nestabilities, Copic markers, Shimmerz, Dimensionals, Yellow pearls

ATC Swap

I participated in Tracy Durcan's ATC swap a few weeks ago. Silly me forgot to take a picture of my ATC before I sent it away but thankfully Tracy posted some pics of all the swaps so I was able to "lift" that picture so I could show you! All the ATCs were wonderful - go to Tracy's blog to see them here, it was really a great group to be in!


For my ATC I used my Paper Pretties set Look Who's Perky and paper pieced the coffee pot with some paper I got from Jillian while we were at CHA (she said it was from a paper stack she got at Costco). I stamped the sentiment using Burnt Umber Palette ink on Vellum Cardstock and layering it over the dp. I used some great hardware pieces from my Precious Metals Hardware Kit Copper - there is so much hardware in this kit!! It's amazing!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! Thank you all so much for visiting - it really makes my day! :)

Cardstock: Bazzill (brown & green), dp from Costco, Vellum cardstock, Stamps: Look Who's Perky, Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, Accessories: Precious Metals Hardware Kit, Olive grosgrain, Nestabilities