TCP Tuesday (& a Peek!)

I've had a hard time getting back into my routine this morning . . . vacation was so nice, wasn't it?? But, it does feel so good to get back to some of my favorite stamping challenges -and today it's TCP Tuesday!  Toni is our Hostess today with this sweet little inspiration piece.

We also have the ok from Alma to give you a sneak peek of the new sets being released SOON (official sneak peeks start next week so stay tuned!)!  Today I used Tweet Hearts and used the colors from the hat for my card.  I also used Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) - it's the first one of 2011 and it's being sponsored by The Cat's Pajamas this month so I had to play along!

I took one of the sentiments from the set, "You set my heart a flutter!" and stamped it repeatedly on the pink panel.  And did you notice the little peek of one of the new Cut-Ups being released - Heart Trio is so fabulous!!! You will love this sweet little innovative die!  I embellished mine with a tiny bow from Divine Twine - have you tried it yet?

Get all the details and leave a link on Alma's blog for a chance to be this month's Swanky Stamper - you can't win if you don't play! :)  Thanks for visiting today my friends!

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink, )(Regal Rose) SU!, Patterned Paper:  ?? Stamps: (Tweet Hearts), Accessories:  (Divine Twine) The Cat's Pajamas, (rhinestone flourish) Prima, (button) Papertrey Ink,  Tools:  (Heart Trio Cut-Ups) The Cat's Pajamas, (Nestabilities) Spellbinders The Cat's Pajamas, Ink: (Black) Memento, (Regal Rose) SU!

Sending Love

When I saw the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge from Karen Giron this week I knew I had to make a card with it! Not only is it a super fun sketch but it's the perfect sketch to use with the Very Square stamp set from Mint Motif (designed my the super Kimberly Crawford).  I've told you before that I have a "thing" for clouds lately so when I saw that Very Square had a sweet cloud image I couldn't wait for the chance to use it!  I paired it up with the new Up, Up & Away set from Papertrey Ink.

Normally, I would have reached for some cute patterned paper when using this set but aren't the cloud squares from Very Square perfect?  That's one thing that's great about this set - it's a wonderful compliment to lots of stamps I already have in my collection!  I used Spring Rain ink which gave really nice coverage on the square. 

After stamping the kites I cut them out and popped them up over the partial sun image I had stamped on the background panel.  The sentiment is from Very Square Sentiments, the perfect go-along set!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful day! :)

Cardstock: Spring Rain, White (Papertrey Ink), Stamps: Very Square, Very Square Sentiments (Mint Motif), Up, Up & Away (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Spring Rain, Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart, Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink), Cantelope, Black (Memento), Accessories: Corner rounder, Copic markers, Button (Papertery Ink), foam adhesive, gingham ribbon (SU!)

Hello from Wonderland

I have another card with some fun new paper I picked up last Friday at Wholly Scrap!  It had just arrived and was being put out when I got there and since it was super cute . . . well, you know! *wink*  The paper is Fairy Tales from Reminisce and while I don't think I'd use the paper with the huge characters, the other side is often very cute - flowers, trees, Cheshire cats - very fun stuff! 

I have this adorable set from The Greeting Farm called Wonderland (I have rubber, but I think it's only available in a digi set now) that I was tickled to get to play with finally!  I used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #63 for the lo and the dp with the teapots/cups on it.  What a fun image this was to color!! I added a bit of sparkle to the heart on her apron and some gloss to the petals on the teacup.  I also gave my new ric rac die from Papertrey a try! I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot of that one!! :)

It's funny how some new paper gets you so excited craft isn't it?  Have a wonderful day my friends and thanks for visiting!!

Cardstock: White, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Through the Looking Glass (Reminisce), Stamps: Wonderland (The Greeting Farm), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Ric Rac die, Texture Plate (Papertrey Ink), Ribbon (American Crafts), Glossy Accents, Ranger, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!), Glaze pen, foam adhesive

Saturday Sketch 43

It's time for The Sweet Stop's Saturday Sketch #43.  I decided to sneak one more Valentine's Day card in (although I'm not promising that you've seen the last of hearts and pink!).  The image is a fun digi stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, (which incidentally just announced that they have gone entirely digital now!) called Winter Love - aren't they sweet?!  I haven't bought very many digi stamps before but these were super easy to download and print out. 

 The fun, glittery, stripy paper is American Crafts as is the matching ribbon.  The woodgrain paper is Cosmo Cricket (Nutmeg collection).  It's hard to see but I've added a bit of Sparkly Fluff to her scarf and ear muffs (ha ha - ear muffs on an owl! That cracks me up!)  The glittery heart is from Zva Creative and it's so pretty IRL!!  I forgot to photograph the inside, which is where the sentiment is since I ran out of room on the front! :)

Head over to The Sweet Stop to see the sketch and leave a link if you play along and please visit the other Sugar Babies for their take on the sketch!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Korin Sutherland
Jodi Collins
Nicole Anderson
Ann Clack
Audrey Gonzales
Andrea Vernagus
Candace Mitchell
Renata Elenbaas
Lisa Hjulberg
Nancy Brown

Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink), White (GP), Patterned Paper:  American Crafts, Nutmeg Collection (Cosmo Cricket), Digi Stamps: Winter Love (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Accessories:  Ribbon (American Crafts, Rhintestone heart (Zva Creative), Copic markers, Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge), Nestabilities, Corner rounder punch

Beee Mine - SSS41

Happy Weekend!  It's time for another Saturday Sketch from The Sweet Stop.  I'm having so much fun on this team - aren't the sketches great?!  I hope you've gotten a chance to give them a try -and be sure to leave the link over at The Sweet Stop so we can see!

For my card today I pulled out this little cutie Huggabugg from Stamping Bella. This is Beeemine Huggabugg.  The dp is some luscious pink, red and brown Valentine paper from American Crafts - I love it!  I colored the image with Copics and added some Glossy Accents to the little bug's heart.  The little pearls added on her antennae and in the corner are some new (to me) little Zva pearls - very fun!

Take a minute and hop over to The Sweet Stop blog for a look at what the Sugar Babies have done this week.  And visit their blogs to leave them some love!

Korin Sutherland
Jodi Collins
Nicole Anderson
Ann Clack
Audrey Gonzales
Andrea Vernagus
Candace Mitchell
Renata Elenbaas

There's still time to get in on some blog candy I'm offering on THIS post too!  Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Cardstock:  Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink) White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: I Heart You Honey Bun (American Crafts), Stamps: Beeemine Huggabugg (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Brown Twill Tape (Papertrey Ink), Pearls (Zva Creative), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic Markers, foam adhesive, Glossy Accents (Ranger), sewing machine

Eskimo Kisses

What a fun night I had last night with a bunch of girlfriends stamping Valentine's treats!  Now it's time for another Saturday Sketch from The Sweet Stop. 

For my card today I used one of the newly released stamp sets from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called Eskimo Kisses - aren't they cute?  They were so fun to color with my Copics! I paired them up with some Pink Paislee paper.  The little glittery hearts were cut out Nestabilities and then run through my Xryon and glitter-fied - love it!  You can't tell at all from the photo, but I added some Fun Flock to the white parts on their coats.

Hop over to The Sweet Stop blog to see the sketch .  and link up your creation after you visit the other Sugar Babies to see their creations!  Have a great weekend!

Korin Sutherland
Jodi Collins
Nicole Anderson
Ann Clack
Audrey Gonzales
Andrea Vernagus
Candace Mitchell
Renata Elenbaas

Cardstock:  Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee, Stamps: Eskimo Kisses (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Nestabilities, Copic markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!), Buttons & Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), foam adhesive, Fun Flock (Stampendous), Embossing folder (Provo Craft)

Prettie Sketchy Wednesday #85!

Welcome to Prettie Wednesday!  Today's challenger is Frances and she has a super sketch for you - don't you love sketches?  I do - it makes my card go much faster!  So here is the PWC85 sketch challenge - I love that it's not A2!  Now you can really make it any size you want, but I  made mine 4"x7".  You have until next Tuesday night to make your card using Paper Pretties stamps and upload it to the Weekly Challenge Gallery (use keyword PWC85) at Paper Pretties.  One person will win a $15 coupon to the Paper Pretties Boutique.  So let's start with some inspiration from the Prettie Girls!!

As you can see I turned the sketch on it's side since I was using this adorable Snowy Snuggles stamp.  I think they make an adorable Valentine's Day couple don't they?  And the sentiment, "There's snow-one like you" is just perfect too!  I used some pretty October Afternoon dp from their holiday line and mixed in a bit of pink and hearts. (I found the pattern for the crocheted hearts here.)

Did you notice that there were no new stamped released on the 1st?? Well, never fear!  Paper Pretties is about to celebrate it's 3rd anniversary so we decided to have a combined release/anniversary party!  The festivities begin next week so be watching for more details and sneak peeks - it's going to be FUN!! :)

I hope you give the sketch a try - it's a fun one!!  Your next stop on the hop is Jana's blog!! Have a Prettie day!!

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, White (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Stamps: Snowy Snuggles (Paper Pretties), Ink: Black (Memento), Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink), Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!), Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Clear Glaze pen, heart brads

Prettie Sketchy 68 Wednesday Hop

Welcome to the new Prettie Wednesday!! Today the first of our weekly winners will be announced on The Paper Clip - be sure to check out and see if it's YOU! Of course, you had to play to win - did you play? If not, let fix that - play this week! :) AND, we're making it easy for you to check out what the Prettie Girls have made for the challenge - we're HOPin'! You should start on Christie's blog and follow through to see all the wonderful creations!

Our challenge this week was a great sketch from Danielle! I turned the sketch on it's side and pulled out Whiskers Sophia from last year - so sad she only comes out at this time of year! I just got this cute new My Mind's Eye dp which was perfect for this stamp! This sketch was a great way to showcase different patterned papers! I added a bit of Sparkly Fluff . . ok actually a lot! to her costume, tail and shoes. She's just purrrrring! The ribbon was a bit bright so I toned it down with a Copic markers. Finally, it just needed something so . . . buttons of course!!

Now, how about next week's challenge? Here's a picture that comes from Charmaine and it's a great inspiration challenge. Check out all the contest rules here - basically you have 1 week to upload your submission (until Tuesday at 6 pm EST) to the Paper Pretties Weekly Challenge Gallery using keyword PCW69. You could win a $15 coupon to the Paper Pretties Boutique!

Ok, the next stop on your Prettie Wednesday Hop is Danielle - go see what she's made and don't forget to play along! Have a great day!

Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Brown (Bazzill), Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Stamps: Whiskers (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Ribbon (American Crafts), Buttons (Foo Fa La), Twine (Papertrey Ink), Nestabilities, Copic markers, Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge). Finished size: 4.25 x 4.25

Prettie Sketchy Wednesday with a Hop!

Good morning!! It's another Prettie Wednesday and today we are posting with Jessie's wonderful sketch. BUT . . . there's a twist! This is also a little "Feel Better" Blog Hop for Jessie . . . surprise Jess!! :) Poor thing had a big date with the dentist on Monday for some tooth but we're happy to report she came through beautifully! It still can't hurt to give her a little pick-me-up and send a card for well wishes though, right? You should have started on Christie's blog - but if you didn't head over there so you don't miss anything!

I made my card using Bunny Slippers Sophia from Paper Pretties and some bright, cheery paper from Imaginisce. I colored Sophia with Copic markers and added some Sparkly Fluff from Our Craft Lounge that I picked up at Stamping Around Connecticut last weekend to the collar and cuff! Love that stuff!

Now it's time to hop over to Jackie R's blog and if you follow to the end be sure and give Jessie some "feel better" love! Hope you're mending fast Jessie!!

ETA: If you haven't already done so, please see my post HERE and comment for my Jules Jewels (aka Blog Candy)!!! I'll be drawing a winner on Friday!!

Cardstock: White (GP), Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Imaginisce, Stamps: Bunny Slippers Sophia (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Summer Sunrise ribbon, button, Rustic Twine (Papertrey Ink), Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge), brads

Happy Birthday Dad!

This week's sketch challenge on SCS gave me the opportunity to play with a beautiful new stamp I received from Innovative Stamp Creations. The nature inspired stamps they have are simply beautiful!! I definitely will be picking up the Serenity stamp from the latest release this week - it's just stunning and reminds me so much of the boardwalk up to the beach at my parent's house.

Tomorrow is my father's birthday (and my mother-in-law's - how funny is that?!), so I thought this beautiful stamp would work well for a masculine birthday card. The stamp set is called, Birch Tree Paintings. I stamped the image using on Watercolor paper and used ink pads to color the tree. I sort of forgot when I was coloring that tree was a birch tree - oops. So I took my Fresh Snow & Vintage Cream ink pads and colored over the tree to mute the browns and make it look more birch-bark like. I think it worked pretty well.

Check out the Innovative Stamp Creations blog to see all the lovely samples their design team has made with the newly released stamps - truly inspiring!! :) A huge thanks also to ISC for being such a great supporter and donor to Stamping Around!!

Cardstock: Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink), Watercolor paper (SU!), Patterned Paper: Kate Collection (Crate Paper), Stamps: Birch Tree Paintings (Innovative Stamp Creations), sentiment from Father Knows Best (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Stazon, Accessories: Copper brads, aquapainter & ink pads

Bellarific Friday

TGIF again!! :) I had a bit of time to play with week's Bellarific sketch - YEA!! The sketch was just perfect for this adorable stamp, One Piece Circle we received on the Stamping Cruise (thanks Em!!) I think this stamp is adorable and I had fun searching through my paper stash to find something appropriate.

Another purple card too!! I added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the waves for the "bling effect" - gotta have the bling baby!! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend! Please remember my Jules Jewels (aka Blog Candy) post just below - I'll keep it open until next week sometime.

Thanks for visiting, have a great weekend!!

Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: American Craffts, Stamps: One Piece Circle, Enjoy Life (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Bella Baubles, Nestabilities, Copci markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter,

TGIF!

Happy Friday everyone! It would be perfect here if it weren't raining, but I won't complain - not much! :)

I think that I forgot to share this card here. I got this cute Verve set, Cupcake Affair from my friend and fellow Prettie Girl, Jackie Rakoski and finally had a chance to ink it up! The sketch was from Julee Tillman for the last Verve release.

The dp and ribbon are Pink Paislee - isn't that ribbon perfect with the little cupcakes/! I used the little row of flowers stamp from the set to make the scalloped edge and did a bit of sewing around the edge of the card. The frosting on the cupcake is actually a piece of dp that was then coated in glitter.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Real Red (SU!), White (Papertrey Ink),
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee
Stamps: Cupcake Affair(Verve Stamps)
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Ribbon (Pink Paislee), Copic Markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, sewing machine, yellow pearl

On Par for Father's Day

Hello my friends! I decided I need to get started on Father's Day - yikes! It's Sunday you know?! So what better set to pull out than Right On Par from Paper Pretties! Now neither my husband, my father nor my father-in-law golf but it's still a great masculine image!! He's so fun to color & paper piece too! I used another sketch for this card - Danielle's Paper Pretties' Challenge for this week. You can play along and WIN a $5.00 coupon to the Paper Pretties Boutique. Check out the details on Danielle's blog.

I used some old DP from a 6x6 SU! paper pad along with kraft cardstock, a bit of scoring done on the Scor-Pal, some paper piercing on the top and bottom, a trim cut with the pinking shears and few fun buttons - some of my favorite stuff!! :)

Have you seen the news on the Paper Pretties homepage? Christie and her family are moving! It's been a long time coming and is such great news for them! You can benefit too - check out the Clearance section in the Boutique, there are some great deals! Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Riding Hood Red (SU!), White (GP), Patterned Paper: SU!, Stamps: Right On Par (Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread, Pinking shears, Scor-Pal, Copic markers, paper piercer

Forever Young

I got some new stamps last week and I've been itching to use them . . . you know how that is right?? This set is just sooooo adorable, from The Greeting Farm, called Never Ever. I think Peter Pan is one of my favorite Disney movies and the style of this set is just so cute!! Note to self: must get the cute Wonderland set as well!! :)

The layout is this week's CPS Sketch #118 and the papers are from My Mind's Eye - seemed appropriate for Peter! The only thing you probably can't see is that I used my clear Spica pen to add a few sparkles to Peter's freckles and his costume - not too much but a bit of "fairy dust" you understand *wink* *wink*!!

We're headed down to stay at my parent's house (while they are away) down at the beach for a few days - hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! :)

Cardstock: Green, Orange (Bazzill), White (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Bloom & Grow (My Mind's Eye), Stamps: Never Ever (The Greeting Farm), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Buttons (Foo Fa La), Rafia, Copic markers, Spica Pen

Bellerific Friday Sketch

Happy Friday!! I had a bit of time yesterday so I was able to participate in Bellerific Friday for the second week in a row - yea!! Here is another of my new Kettos from Stamping Bella - this is Charlotte, so cute right?! Of course, I loved her too because my that's my Anna's middle name (I'm a big Bronte fan!).

This week's challenge was another great sketch from Nicky. I decided to go bold again and used some pretty dp from the Metropolitan line by American Crafts. I feel like there should be something in that bottom right corner, but. . .

I colored her with Copics, except her hair which was done with a black Prismacolor pencil. I also did some highlighting with Spica pens which is hard to see - her shoes and even some spots around her hair are sparkly.

Sorry about the bad photographs lately, I've broken a few lights for my photo tent which need to be replaced asap! If the lighting were better you'd be able to see the cute Ruby Red Bonbons around a pretty marble Bella Dot.

Come back this afternoon - I have CAS (clean & simple) Rubber Romance card to share! Until then . . . have a great morning! :)

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red (SU!), Patterned Paper: Flower Stand, Skyline (Metropolitan collection by American Crafts), Stamps: Charlotte Ketto, Here's to You! (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Bella Bonbons, Bella Dots, Dimensionals, Pure Poppy Twill (Papertrey Ink), Nestabilities, Spica pens, Copic markers

Salt Challenge - The Holy Spirit

Today's challenge on the Salt blog is from Kim. Please take a minute to read her excellent write-up on the blog. The title that came to mind as I thought about the Holy Spirit was Comforter, from John 14:26-27: "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

This precious promise was given by Jesus as he was talking with His disciples before the crucifixion. As Charles Spurgeon states in a sermon entitled "The Comforter"

"Jesus must go. Weep, ye disciples; Jesus must be gone. Mourn, ye poor ones, who are to be left without a Comforter. But hear how kindly Jesus speaks: "I will not leave you comfortless, I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter, who shall be with you, and shall dwell in you forever." He would not leave those few poor sheep alone in the wilderness; he would not desert his children, and leave them fatherless. . . . [B]efore he left, he gave soothing words of comfort; like the good Samaritan, he poured in oil and wine, and we see what he promised: "I will send you another Comforter—one who shall be just what I have been, yea, even more; who shall console you in your sorrows, remove your doubts, comfort you in your afflictions, and stand as my vicar on earth, to do that which I would have done had I tarried with you."

What a blessing to know we have such a Comfort! We'd love to have you participate in our challenge - if you, please leave a link on the Salt blog.

My card today uses a beautiful dove, which is a common symbol for the Holy Spirit in the Bible, from the Kitchen Sink Stamps set, 3 Step Love Birds. The layout is a sketch by Suzanne Dean for the Susanna's Custom Art & Card Design Challenge on the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site. Thanks for visiting!

Cardstock: Soft Sky (SU!), Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Everyday Blessings (Papertrey Ink), Stamps: 3 Step Love Birds, sentiment from 3 Step Bells (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Ink: Platinum Planet (Brilliance), Soft Snow (Papertrey Ink), London Fog (Memento), Accessories: Dew Drops, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Ribbon (SU!)

Welcome Home!

Good morning! We had an excellent day here yesterday - I hope you all did too! My children ate entirely too much watermelon that's for sure!

So have you played along with any of the challenges on the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site? I decided to give a few more challenges a try - there are so many! This card was made for this sketch challenge. I used one of Paper Pretties' newest sets, Home Sweet Home by Fat Cat Stamps. This townhouse is so much fun to color, there are so many possibilities!!

The patterned paper is some Crate Paper from my stash but the good thing is that it's still available (here and here) in the Paper Pretties Boutique! It's just gorgeous - beautiful colors and texture!!

Thank you for visiting today, I appreciate you all so much! :) Have a great day!

Cardstock: Brown (Bazzill), White (GP), Patterned Paper: Seaweed collection (Crate Paper), Stamps: Home Sweet Home (Fat Cat Stamps for Paper Pretties), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Brads, Dimensionals, Ribbon (Crate Paper), Primsacolor Pencils, OMS, Nestabilities

Bellerific Friday!

Happy Friday friends! We had a HOT one here yesterday, a bit much for me but the whole weekends looking sunny and warm so I'm not complaining!

I got a few new goodies from Stamping Bella last week and decided that Bellerific Friday was a great way to put them to use! I ordered a couple Kettos, have you seen them? I wasn't sure at first but they've grown on me and I love them!! Em's team has done a great job making yummy cards with them - they "made" me buy them (I'm blaming Joanne - lol!!) :) So my card uses Suzette Ketto - cute or what?! The dp is also from Stamping Bella - it's American Crafts Craft Fair collection.


The sketch was by Nicky for this week's challenge - lots of fun!! :) Thanks for visiting - have a wonderful weekend!

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, White (Papertrey Ink), Summer Sunrise (SU!), Patterned Paper: Craft Fair collection (American Crafts), Stamps: Suzette Ketto, Dare to be Different (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento, Accessories: ribbon, Copic markers, Nestabilities, Flowers (Stamping Bella), Swarovski crystals, Dimensionals

Salt Challenge - God's Strength

It was my turn to pick the topic for this week's challenge on the Salt Blog. I chose God's Strength based on 2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

It seems lately that I have been made aware of so many people going through so many difficult trials, serious illnesses/injuries, financial strains, marital stress, loss of loved ones, and more. It's often easy for us to begin to question God's purposes and worry or despair. In this chapter of Corinthians, we see the example of the apostle Paul, how he prayed 3 times for God to remove a "thorn in the flesh" (we are not told what it was). God's answer should be our encouragement and comfort as it was Paul's! "My grace is sufficient for you."

Matthew Henry in his commentary on this chapter states that

"Grace signifies . . . The good-will of God towards us, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all afflictions and distresses. . . . Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only strengthen us, but glorify himself."

For my card I used an old SU! set. When I thought about what things could signify strength the first thing that came to mind was a tree . This tree image certainly looks like a strong, solid tree to me! The layout is this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. We would love to have you participate in our challenge this week and if you do, please leave us a link on the Salt blog so we can be view your project! Don't forget also to visit the other Salt members' blogs and read their contributions for this week's theme.

Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Scenic Route, Stamps: SU!, sentiment from Something Within (Unity Ink: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Accessories: Copic Markers, Dimensionals, Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button, Linen thread, Corner Rounder punch (SU!)

Get Ready . . .

The Paper Pretties May release is just around the corner! We have such a big month too - a brand new stamp line is being unveiled and you will love it!! Check out a few details on The Paper Clip. In the meantime, sneak peeks start tomorrow for the other sets being released, Hola Chica, TWO new Sophias, and Rainy Day Friend will be re-released in RUBBAH. On Friday May 1st Paper Pretties will be having their monthly Stamping In Your Jammies party!! The party starts at 8pm EST and will last until 11pm. We will be issuing a challenge every hour so be sure to come and play along!!

And a release means it's time for another Cutie Pie contest!! You have until Thursday April 30th at 10pmEST to get your entries uploaded to the Cutie Pie gallery at the Paper Pretties website. The winner will not only get to call themselves a Cutie Pie, but they will also receive all the new release stamps!! You know you want to enter - go for it! :)

Ok, on to the card - Danielle does a fabulous job every week of issuing a challenge in the Forum for anyone to enter and win a $5.00 coupon for the Paper Pretties Boutique. Last week was such a cute sketch - even though it's late, I got a chance to play along! :)

I used the Stamp of the Month Club stamp for May, Make a Splash. You only have until Thursday, April 30 to sign up and receive it before it's public release in June. Check out all the details here. The sentiment is from Beach Bum.

Phew, that was a lot of information! Thanks for bearing with me. I'll be back tomorrow with a Prettie Wednesday Prettie Peek. :) Have a great day everyone!