Cardinal Christmas

Today's card will be entered in the Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge-Anything Goes and in the Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Christmas in July. 

For this card I once again used the die cut wreath from Cheery Lynn Designs but I also used the stamped image and sentiment from the Gina K. Designs Peace and Joy stamp set. I colored the image in with Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens. This gave a glittery look to the design. The wreath was die cut from some varigated green glitter paper. And, the sentiment was stamped with Versamark and embossed using some red glitter embossing powder. It is an unknown brand as it had no label left on it. After I had glued all the elements to the white card base I finally added some red rhinestone gems to the wreath for even more sparkle and shine!

Cheery Lynn Designs Die used: Joy to the World Wreath B481

Gina K. Designs Stamp Set-Peace and Joy

Green Glitter Paper-Unknown

Red Glitter Embossing Powder-Unknown

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens

Ranger Multi-Medium Matte Glue

Rhinestones-Eyelet Outlet

Scor-Pal Embossing Board

I am going to put my feet up now for a bit and read a good Christian romance novel. I started it last night and it really has me really interested in it now. It is set in my home state of South Dakota so that makes it even more intriguing to me. And, it was written by a gal I used to work with on the newspaper so I had her autograph my copies of her book series. I am on the first in the series now.

Thanks for stopping in and as always I appreciate each and every comment you leave.

God bless,

Verna

Glittered Wreath

Once again I got the bug to use some of my glitter supplies from Sparkle N Sprinkle and used the Kiss Cut Glittering technique which Demo Donna explains in this video. And, of course, I am into the Christmas in July card making and used a die from Cheery Lynn Designs to create this card. I rounded off the corners by fussy cutting them.

I just love that wreath die and purchased it last year and only used it a few times so I am only too happy to use it again this year. But this is using it in a different manner so I think it will be a good card for this year too.

Don't you just love all that sparkle. I think glitter really makes a Christmas card especially look festive. And, I did this one in traditional colors too.

By adding a glittery gold ribbon and red rhinestones I think it really looks gorgeous. I so enjoy doing this technique and even though I and my house end up a glittery look, I think the end results are well worth it.

I used the following die from Cheery Lynn Designs:
Joy To The World Wreath B481

Sparkle N' Sprinkle Glitters:
Sparkling Snow G1003
Elegant Emerald G1011
Fire Engine Red G1007

Other Supplies from Sparkle N' Sprinkle:
Super Adhesive Sheets SAS02
I" Royal Soft Grip Brush SG 1400 for removing the excess glitter

Other Supplies:
Gina K. Designs Card Stock
Crafters Companion Glue Pen
Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Retractable Pick Pen
Eyelet Outlet Red Rhinestones
Scor-Pal Scoring Board
Gold Glitter Ribbon (unknown)

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs Blog Challenge (Christmas in July)
Mod Squad Blog Challenge (Christmas in July)
Crop Stop Linky Party-Anything Goes

Well, we got rain so the harvest of wheat is on hold again. We may be about half way done though. So that is good. I hope your week is going great and thanks for stopping in and for the lovely comments.

God bless,
Verna

Krafty Christmas

After a weekend of company I am trying to at least get one Christmas card done this week. We are also combining wheat and the garden produce needs attention too. Busy, busy times now!

For my main panel I used Gina K. Designs kraft card stock and dry embossed it with the Darice Wire Fence embossing folder. Over this I added Cheery Lynn wreath dies and inside the wreath I added a sentiment from Inspired by Stamping. I also added some enamel dots on the wreath as well. This panel was die cut with a Memory Box rectangle die and then outlined with a layer of Gina K. Designs cranberry tart card stock. My last thing to do before adding it to the base card of kraft card stock was to add a ribbon.

The wreath has a branch design underneath and then I added two die cuttings of the evergreen wreath to make it look like a bit more foliage and dimension on the card.

I also carried the colors over to the inside of the card and  used another part of the evergreen die set for the inside sentiment and some of the images from Inspired by Stamping.

Cheery Lynn Dies used:
Happy Halloween Twiggy Wreath B469
Joy To The World Wreath B481

Memory Box Die:
Cross Stitched Frame Border Style No, 99124

Other Supplies:
Inspired by Stamping Poinsettias Stamp Set
Stampin' Up Enamel Dots
Darice Wire Fence Embossing Folder
Crafter's Companion Permanent Glue Pen
Gina K. Designs Cranberry Tart and Christmas Pine Inks
Gina K. Designs Cranberry Tart and Kraft card stock
Scor Pal Embossing Board
Ranger Multi-Medium Matte Glue

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Things With Wings
Scrapy Land Challenge-Emboss Dry or Heat
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Use Kraft
Crop Stop Linky Party 18-Anything Goes
Cheery Lynn Designs Blog Challenge-Christmas 

If I am missing a lot for a few weeks it will be due to being busy with harvest both in crops and garden. But that is okay too, as this is an important thing on a farm to tend to each year. I hope you are having a good week so far as well!

God bless,
Verna

Merry Trees

While my beets are cooling down I thought I would post a Christmas card that I made a couple weeks ago from what was sort of a messed up background. But after I had it all completed I really rather liked it. The mess up was in trying to do some embossing with my Scor-Pal board and I got my scoring off kilter.

I used glossy white card stock and first I stamped the burlap background from the Gina K. Designs Tiny Textures set with Gina K. Design Honey Mustard ink. Then I stamped over this design with the tree images from the Merry Trees set by Gina K. Designs and doing the outside ones in Gina K. Designs Turquoise Sea ink and the middle one with Gina K. Designs Cranberry Tart ink. (Sorry to say that the Cranberry Tart ink has been discontinued and it was one of my favorites for Christmas and Thanksgiving cards.) But I think the Cherry Red ink might work quite well too.

The sentiment from the Merry Trees set was stamped with the cranberry tart ink on glossy card stock and then die cut with the Cheery Lynn DL303 Pierced Banner set. I outlined this banner with some of the Cranberry Tart card stock and placing it on the main panel which also was layered with cranberry tart card stock before being added to the main card of white glossy paper.

This last photo sort of shows the score lines I made on the card which is sort of a mixed up design. But this goes to show that even a "boo boo" can still be used and make an interesting design.

Well, I think the beets might be cool enough for me to slip the skins and dice them up now. They will be frozen after they cool down for future meals. We like some bacon added to our beets or just butter them a bit along with salt and pepper. This is a great vegetable for diabetic diets. The ones still left in the garden no doubt will be made into pickles. But that might be a week or two.

Well, I hope your week is off to a great start. As well as working with garden things, I will be clearing the deck for company on the weekend. So my crafting supplies will have to be put away again. Sure wish at times like this that I had my own craft room where I could just shut the door. LOL

You take care and thanks for all the wonderful comments.

God bless,

Verna

John 14:27

There was the most beautiful font used on the John 14:27 verse at the Word Art Wednesday Blog that I just had to use it on a card. And, another first for me was to use acetate and I am telling you that is tough stuff to work with. My embossing powder spattered even when I followed all the rules, but even so I did persevere and make my card design.

The base of the card is a medium pink and the Spellbinder Classic scalloped square die was used as a frame for the verse which I printed onto white card stock. It was then layered onto black and then at the top and bottom in order to make it fit better I added a light pink border.

The row of roses at the top, bottom and inside the card are from the Gina K. Designs Holiday Baskets set. I also used Gina K. Designs white embossing powder and Versamark ink and heat set them. And, along the edge I ran some pearl stickers.

I am not sure that I will be adding any verse inside the card but instead might just write a personal message so I left that blank.

And, it was a tough job taking a photo. I think I took 10 different ones and in my deleting I accidentally deleted the two I was going to use, so I had to restore them. I am so glad there is that option. I hope you can see the acetate fairly well. Most of the time there was too much glare but these two were not too bad.

Supplies used:
Digi from Word Art Wednesday Blog
Rose Border from Gina K. Design Holiday Basket set
Versamark Ink
Gina K. Design White Embossing Powder
Spellbinder Classic Scalloped Square die
Scor Tape (used on back of folded edge of acetate to adhere to the card base)
Scor Pal Embossing Board
Crafter's Companion Permanent Glue Pen
Memory Box Pearl Stickers
Hot Off The Press Heat Resistant Acetate

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday Blog Challenge
Crop Stop Linky Party#18-Anything Goes

Well, storms are moving in so I guess I might have to shut down the computer soon and  unplug. We lost one computer to lightning and we don't take any chances anymore. I hope you are having a great Saturday.

God bless,
Verna

Just One Flower

I so enjoyed making this card and I don't know about you, but I love these colors together. For this card I used Versafine clear ink, Gina K. Designs white embossing powder, stamps and dies from the Gina K. Designs Birthday Blessings set, pattern paper from Gina K. Designs, Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks, white card stock, rhinestones from my stash, Gina K. Designs black ink and a Cheery Lynn Designs die.

For these images I used regular white card stock and embossed them with white embossing powder. Then I added a thick coat of distressed inks to them and then with a brush and some water lifted some of the color. I only did this on the flower and butterfly and not the leaves. Once I had lifted some of the color I added more diluted distressed inks to the petals here and there so that they appeared to have a multi-color look. I also did this on the butterfly.

I layered the pattern paper onto the white card base and then over that I placed the Cheery Lynn banner die on which I had stamped the sentiment and the leaves. Next I popped the flower and the butterfly up on the card.

The final step to my card design was to add some rhinestones in orange and deep pink. I thought this gave it a more elegant and finished look.

Even though the flower and butterfly are popped up it still is flat enough that it won't take extra postage to mail it.

Cheery Lynn Designs die used:
DL303 Pierced Banner

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Stamp TV Mix It Up Monday Challenge
Crop Stop Blog-Linky Party #18 Anything Goes
Cheery Lynn Designs Blog Challenge #233-Anything Goes
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Distress Ink Lifting
Scrapy Land Blog Challenge #45-Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge

Wow! The week seemed to zip right by again. But I had a productive one in making cards at any rate. I hope your weekend is a good one as well.

God bless,
Verna

Silly Rudolph

This afternoon I finished up a little Christmas scene in which I used Jillian Vance Designs Woodland set, pattern paper from the Gina K. Designs Sparkling Christmas pack, the Memory Box Cross Stitched Frames Border die, Memento inks, Bic Mark-It alcohol ink pens and a red rhinestone from Eyelet Outlet.

My card base was red duplex. I layered the pattern paper onto that and then after die cutting the focal scene design I layered that onto a thin layer of green card stock and placed that on top of the pattern paper. Once the sentiment was stamped I also added a thin layer of the green card stock to that and fussy cut the cardinal image and added that on the corner of the sentiment. The last thing I did was add the red rhinestone to Rudolph's nose.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge-Create a Scene
Crop Stop Linky Party #18 Challenge-Anything Goes

I just love those cute little deer images and had so much fun working with the stamps on this set. It really is getting me in a holiday mood to do Christmas cards.

Well, I enjoyed this and now it is back to the craft/kitchen table to do more delightful things. Have a great evening everyone! And as always thanks for the lovely comments.

God bless,
Verna

Floral Thank You

Today I am using some Tim Holtz Distressed inks in my project. I used Worn Lipstick and Barn Door. I swiped them onto watercolor paper and then took a brush and some water to try and blend them and lift some of the color to change the variation in shades. I am not so sure that it worked as well as I thought it would but it did lighten up the colors somewhat.

I took the flower image from the CAS-UAL Fridays set called Truth Is and stamped it on the white base card with clear Versamark ink and then embossed it with black embossing powder. Well, it was not a good embossing day and even though I used an anti-static pad it still had flecks of black EP on it. So my decision was not to toss it out but instead add more flecks of black to the design later on.

Next I stamped the flowers on the distressed ink panel and fussy cut the petals out. I then pieced them onto the main card. That was a tough cutting job but I did fairly well on it.

I also took the CAS-UAL Fridays All About You set which is from the Catherine Pooler Beautiful World Stamp of Approval release and only added the Thank sentiment. But I die cut the You from the You die set by CAS-UAL Fridays which was also in the Catherine Pooler collection. That die set also included the stars and hearts dies which I cut out with the distressed ink colored paper. The final touch was to add the black and white polka dot ribbon and more flecks of black.

This design is being entered in the following challenge:
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Distressed Ink Lifting
Crop Stop Blog-Anything Goes

So nice of you to come by and leave such wonderful comments. I hope your day is a great one.

God bless,
Verna

Christmas Scene

I recently purchased a few sets from A Jillian Vance Design and this Christmas Scene card was made using some of the images from her Winter Woodland set. I only got one design done but I think I will be using this set for more cards as well. There are some really cute woodland creatures on it.

I used Momento inks and stamped the design onto glossy white card stock. I went very simple but cut the scene out with a My Favorite Things Die-Namics Wonky Rectangle Die. I also used a die from that set to cut out the red gingham pattern paper which is from Gina K. Designs. The sentiment from the set was layered onto red card stock and added to the front focal panel. Next I layered all onto a base card of white card stock. My finishing touch was to add some more gingham inside the card.

I am entering this card in the Double D's Blog Challenge where the theme is Simply Gingham.

Well, we were blessed again with more rain. In fact, we got 3 1/2 inches in the early morning hours. There is a possibility of even more tonight. I guess we shall see what the night will bring. But it seems the drought is broken for us. Already the weeds are popping up in the garden. So weeding will be the next thing besides gathering the produce. We had our first peas and beans from the garden so  I hope they will continue to bear well.

Thanks again for the lovely comments. I cherish all of them.

God bless,
Verna

Beach Girl Thanks

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems everything you had meant to be part of the creative process of a card just did not work out. Finally after many frustrating issues I decided to turn back to an old trick we did in the early days of my stamping career. That is to tear around the image and create a rugged and ragged distressed border. I added the focal image to a piece of navy and beige gingham pattern paper and added some faux stitches along with a torn sentiment and this is the end result.

And you would think that would be the end of my frustration but alas, I also had trouble getting a decent photo. This seemed to be the best one of the lot. I also took one from a different perspective and that isn't too bad either so I am featuring that below.

Here is my supply list:
Navy and white duplex card stock for the card base
White glossy card stock on which I stamped the beach girl
Gina K. Designs plaid paper from the Casual Friday Paper Pack
3D Gel Stitches by Cloud 9 Design
#SD103 Beach Girl by Technique Junkies
Thank You by Altenew from the Painted Greetings set
Zig Water Color Markers

Such as it is I am still entering this in the following challenges:
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Lazy Days of Summer
Double D's Blog Challenge-Simply Gingham

And, I also have wonderful news. We got 3/4 of an inch of rain last night and even though it was a very stormy way of getting it we are so very grateful to the Lord for blessing us. This will make things perk up and look greener around here.

A big thank you to all who are so faithful in stopping by my blog and for all your uplifting messages. It is those thoughts you leave that make me feel so loved. I hope your Sunday is going well too!

God bless,
Verna

Summer Day

My grandsons left for their home today so since it was so quiet and I missed them I decided to pass my time by making a card. I went with a summer theme and made it a type of card that might work for many occasions.

My focal image of the girl using her binoculars to view her surroundings is from Great Impressions and is from the Missing You set. This scene was colored in with Zig markers. I also had die cut some kitties from Cheery Lynn Designs but only took the smaller ones and added them to the summer scene.

This focal image was die cut with an oval die and added over the top of a card front of blue card stock. But I only removed a portion of the wonky squares from this blue layer. Then I placed it over a base card of heavy white card stock. And below that I added the die cut sentiment.

Cheery Lynn Dies used:
French Lattice Small Frame FRM132
Kitty Kitty Meow Meow B417
God Bless Cara-26

Spellbinder Die used:
Classic Ovals Large

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapy Land Challenge #45-Anything Goes
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Lazy Days of Summer
Cheery Lynn Designs Blog Challenge-Anything Goes

Well, enjoy your weekend and these summer days. They are slipping by way too fast! And thanks for stopping by and for the wonderful comments.

God bless,
Verna

Feels Like A Tropical Heatwave

The last few days have been very hot and humid. It felt a lot like what I imagined a tropical part of the country would have instead of us here in South Dakota. And no one felt like doing much outside and all appreciated the air conditioning.  However, the rain we got was just a smidge and we are still hoping that even though it may be stormy that with the storms we will get some much needed moisture. Anyway, I thought this card might work for a summery card and even though we don't grow hibiscus here, I know they do grow it in the warmer parts of the United States.

I used the hibiscus and sentiments from the Paradise stamp set by Uniko. This is a stamp set I won and I am just loving the beautiful designs of it. I know this will be used many times. I stamped the images with Momentos and used my MISTI to align them up correctly. It also involved some masking.

I used gingham pattern paper that I had in my stash which was cut with a rectangle die. I have no idea who makes the pattern paper as it was purchased when a store was closing shop. The focal image was stamped on white card stock and then cut out with a rectangle die as was the green border. And the main card was heavy weight yellow card stock.

Before I assembled the card design together I added a yellow gingham ribbon over the white layered red gingham panel. I also stamped some of the other hibiscus open images inside the card.

Dies used on this card are from Cheery Lynn Designs:
Stackers Nesting Dies Rectangle Classic A6 Metric XL-17
Stackers Nesting Dies Rectangle A2 size ST-014.

This is being entered in the following challenges:

Scrapy Land Challenge #45-Anything Goes
Double D's Blog Challenge-Simply Gingham
Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Lazy Days of Summer

Thanks for stopping by and I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer day.

God bless,
Verna

Baseball Birthday

I thought this was a great birthday design for baseball fans of any gender but I made it especially for my son in law. He is a big fan of all types of sports.

I used images from the Kitchen Sink Stamps line and the stamp set is called 3 Step Baseball. The wood grain background was made with my Scor-Board and then the color was added by dragging the stamp pad over the paper. I paired it with some Gina K. Designs pattern paper.

Baseball is a favorite past time in our area with lots of games being played in the summer with teams from other towns.

Stamplorations is celebrating their third birthday so I am entering this in the Stamplorations Blog Hop & Linky Party. I just recently discovered their line.

Have a great week everyone and I hope you are enjoying the Fourth as well.

God bless,
Verna

Happy Fourth of July

Just a quick design to express my love of the United States of America and that I hope the United States I have grown to love will continue to grow and flourish in the days to come. I hope there will be more peace in our nation as well.

The pattern paper was from the Liberty Collection by BoBunny. The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company and the big star is from Lawn Fawn. I also outlined the big star diecut with some silver glitter paper. The base of the card is a duplex red and white card stock.

Because we celebrate our nation's birthday today I am entering this in the Stamplorations Blog Hop & Linky Party.

I wish all of you a wonderful Fourth of July and I hope it is a safe one for you. Because we are so very dry here, our family has decided not to shoot any fireworks off. Almost all years we do but our hopes this year is that perhaps the Lord will shoot some off later tonight and bless us with some much needed moisture.

Take care everyone and have a wonderful holiday.

God bless,
Verna

Sea Scene

Yesterday some awesome mail arrived at my door and one of the sets from the Gina K. Designs package was the one called Ship to Shore. So after I had finished all of my cleaning for the day I relaxed and made up a quick scene card with that set.

My card is made of Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury Ivory heavy weight card stock. On a separate piece of the ivory card stock I stamped the waves in various colors of Momento blue inks leaving a space at the bottom which I wanted to be the sandy shore area. Also on that sandy shore I sponged on ink again and added the sentiment from the stamp set. On a separate piece of the ivory card stock I stamped the light house with Versafine black ink and did a fussy cut of that so it could be popped up over the sea waves.

But before I added these elements to the card I took sponges and sponged on my sky and again using Momento inks. I then added my sail boat and the birds with Versafine black ink. The waves were added right over the bottom of the sail boat and I added the light house over the waves.

I sure had fun making this card and it seems that sponging ink is always so relaxing and that was just what I needed to get me feeling more refreshed. I hope you liked the scene too/

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

Mod Squad Blog Challenge-Nautical Theme
Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge-Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting and as always I love and appreciate all the wonderful comments. Have a great weekend.

God bless,
Verna