Grow in Grace

Welcome to another wonderful Lord's day! The past week has been a little chaotic and as a result I have had ZERO time to create! Boo hoo... However, Saturday, I was able to get back in the swing of things. Dakota finally had her litter of puppies Friday evening. We are so excited! It will be great to have some littles running around... But I guess they aren't little when they are St. Bernards, right?

I just wanted to take a moment to reflect and ask for your prayers. This week our community lost a dear Christian man. I had the pleasure of working with him a few years back in my previous job. I also have had the pleasure of getting to know his wife and daughter at scrappin' get togethers. They are a wonderful family and I know he will be missed deeply by his church, family and friends. But I know today there is a new angel in heaven. (He was their church's song leader.) We will miss you Lowell!

Blessings to you...

Lori

And today's card...



In the bottom of the photo you can see the lace I used. Originally it was a light cream color. I distressed it with Distress Ink (Antique Linen & Tea Dye) before adhering. I also added the gold brads to each center. All of the edges were scuffed up with my MM distressing tool and then inked with Distress Inks. There's something about getting ink all over you that is good for the soul!

Supplies

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Stampin' Up
Stamps - ODBDBird Borders & Corners; Grow in Grace
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa (bird corner), Versamark (scripture), Tim Holtz for Ranger Distress Inks - Antique Linen, Tea Dye (distressing)
Embossing Powder - Ranger - Queen's Gold Royal Satin Embossing Powder
Paper Punch - Fiskars
Pearl Brads - Paper Studio Spare Parts
Lace - Small Trend Flower Cream by Offray
Baker's Twine

ODBDSLC70 Sketch

Don't you just love a good recipe? A little dash of this and a little dash of that... The perfect dish also takes a whole lotta love! Today, the challenge team at ODBD has an assignment! We have been asked to use a recipe of sorts... a sketch! The ladies have been asked to use the following sketch...



This weeks challenge:

Create a card or project using the sketch with a twist. The twist is you can use any center panel shape you would like in the center. To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Thursday, August 4. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them.As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, ODBD will again be choosing 1 to 2 creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by August 4 at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC70. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge. You may find the Mr. Linky on ODBD's blog.

And here is my creation this week...



Supplies

Card Stock - Bazzill, Colorbok; Designer Paper - Stampin' Up
Stamps - ODBD - Serve the Lord
Die Cuts - Cheery Lynn Designs (Doily & Butterfly); Spellbinders
Pearls, Ribbon, Violet Petals

Check out what my fellow teammates have created and be sure to leave them some love on their blogs! Can't wait to see what YOU create!

Chris

Fran

Pat

Sabrina

Where's my mojo??

I've lost it! I don't know where I put it... I think the 100 plus temps have fried it... I can't even speculate... Boy, I sure hope it comes back soon! It seems like everything I work on lately is a struggle. I shuffle paper here and there... tear cards apart... start over... Whew! I know God has a lesson for me here! Lord, please give me the strength to get it!

I have attached today's card for this week's Mojo Monday challenge below!

The background is actually a cut from my new Cricut cartridge, Elegant Edges. I then cut a small bit of ivory card stock and embossed it. I framed the sentiment and popped it up with dimensional foam on top of the embossed panel. I used a paper edger to cut a design and then left it slightly peeking out on the bottom! The brads are from a trip to Hobby Lobby! They have a gold shimmer to them! Super fun! Thanks for looking and I look forward to seeing you again!



Supplies

Card Stock - Bazzill, American Crafts
Designer Paper - Stampin' Up
Stamps - ODBD - The Living Bread, Faith
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Lace - Stampin' Up
Ribbon - Offray Satin Brown
Brads - Paper Studio
Paper Punch - EK Success
Embossing Folder - Provocraft - Moroccan Screen
Die Cuts - Cricut Elegant Edges

Fight the Good Fight

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful Lord's day! The weather is still very warm here. The sheep and I are looking forward to a cool down soon. They are threatening to jump in the pond and I am thinking I might join! Just one problemo... I CAN'T SWIM! **probably not a good idea as most likely I will sink like a rock** So instead I will stay in the air conditioning and make cards! Sounds like a tough assignment to me! **wink, wink**

Blessings

So here is today's creation...



Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill, Colorbok
Designer Paper - Fancy Pants Designs - It's the Little Things Paper Pad
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Not Forgotten; Grow in Grace
Die Cuts - Cricut Elegant Edges Cartridge
Lace; Black Jet Swirls; Charm, Twine

Playing in the following challenges -

Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge #99 Black & White, Black & Ivory
Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge 113
Shabby Tea Room #71 So Charming

ODBDSLC69 Paper Piercing

Its hard to believe its time again for Our Daily Bread Designs' Shining the Light Challenge! Time flies when you are having fun! This week's challenge:

Paper Piercing

To make the challenge even more fun, Kelley will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Thursday, July 28. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes. You can find complete details/rules at ODBD's blog. Make sure when posting your creations to use the tag, ODBDSLC69. We want to see what fabulous things you are making! Make sure you join us next Saturday to see the prize winning creation plus to see what the new challenge will be! I promise it will be fun!

And my design for this week's challenge...




I stamped the image of the soldier and scripture on first. I then created a mask to place over that half of the card and stamped the flag background on. I stamped the scripture on a second piece of kraft card stock, matting it and using pops dots to give it dimension. I used a paper piercing tool to outline all of my images and portions of the flag (white stripes.) I finished off my image with a simple satin yellow bow attached with a dress makers pin and affixed patriotic metal embellishment. Here's a close up...



Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Not Forgotten, Old Flag Background
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon, Embellishment, Dress Maker's Pin
Paper Piercing Tool

Thanks again and I can't wait to see what you will create! Please visit my sister sticks to see the eye candy they have for you!

Chris
Fran
Pat
Sabrina

When Life Hands You Lemons...

you make lemonade! With a record heat wave scorching the entire country, an ice cold glass of lemonade sounds pretty good! This card will go to a dear friend who recently opened her home to us. John and I had such a nice time visiting and her hospitality warmed our hearts!

And speaking of warming my heart, a big thank you to my dear friend Sabrina for sharing some lovely products I am using on today's card! Thanks girl! You rock!



I enjoyed pulling out the Cricut to make die cuts for this project! I had the lemon DP on hand but thought it needed some fun cuts! The glass is 3 1/2 inches and the lemon itself is 2. Both are on the Just Because cartridge. And isn't this ODBD stamp the perfect sentiment? You can find this on The Living Bread set. Thanks as always for reading... a complete product list follows...

See ya next time!

Recipe

5 1/4 x 4 1/4
Card Stock - Colorbok, Bazzill
Designer Paper - Kaisercraft - Nan's Collection
Stamp - ODBD - The Living Bread
Ink - Memento - Rich Cocoa; Desert Sand (inking around sentiment)
Die Cuts - Glass & Lemon (Provocraft - Just Because); Doily - Cheery Lynn Designs; Spellbinders - Small Labels
Paper Punch - EK Success
Ribbon


Challenges

Mojo Monday 200 - Sketch

A Clean Heart

Things are starting to settle down after the storms we had last week. Saturday night we had another large thunderstorm pop up. My English Shepherds, Shooter and Shiloh normally stay out with the sheep to control predators. Remember me telling you about the lightning strike last week? Those poor boys about tore my front door down trying to get in Saturday. They normally sleep under our deck and John speculates they may have taken a slight "tingle" the night of the big storm. You see the satellite dish would be about 15 feet above their little heads. So Saturday or I guess early Sunday morning... Lori was out putting the little guys in. They decided the sheep were on their own that night! I'm not sure who has bigger bags under their eyes, the dogs or me! :-)

Well, if you can tell I am in a brown frame of mind. And today is no exception. The paper is from a paper pad I picked up recently by GCD Designs. Until the last year of so I rarely used paper pads. I have discovered the joy of coordinating papers! What in the world took me so long? Until next time...

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - GCD Designs - Ella Blue Paper Pad
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Stamp - ODBD - Scripture Collection 5
Pearls, Ribbon
Paper Edge Punch - EK Success
Paper Punch - Butterfly - Cheery Lynn Designs

Lighthouses...

Above is a photo of the lighthouse at Copper Harbor Michigan. During our recent trip to the Upper Peninsula, John and I took in quite a few lighthouses. There was something very comforting about them. And I'm sure on a dark and stormy night, those lighthouses give a measure of comfort to sailors navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Superior. In my mind, I can picture a tense crew battling an uncertain storm seeing that light peaking out from the hill. I see them breathing a sigh of relief, knowing they were close to land and thus safety.

I think this is very similar to our walk as a Christian. There are often times when the seas of life are choppy. We are certain we will be swallowed up. But then you cast your eyes up and there He is. You can feel the Lord's presence and you know that safe harbor is at hand.



I spotted this beautiful stamp while browsing in A scrapbook store in Calumet Michigan. I love shopping in local stores. I miss having a LSS in our area and I seize the opportunity when I travel. I thought this stamp would make some beautiful note cards.

I stamped the image on kraft paper with Memento Rich Cocoa and ripped carefully around the image. I embossed the card itself and adhered the stamped image with dimensional foam. The embellies are Mosaic tiles and the anchor can from a set of brads I picked up a Michaels. I hope you enjoy today's card and don't forget to cast your eyes upward. Blessings!

Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill
Stamp - Sunny Side Stamps
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Embossing Folder - Provocraft Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles
Tiles - Crystal Stickers Mosaic - Rust
Jute
Bakers Twine
Brad - Recollections

Courage

Courage... One of the first creatures that comes to mind is a lion. Lions are expected to be courageous. So much so that the movie the Wizard of Oz played on the fact that the lion was "cowardly" and needed to find courage. The character in the movie was considered the exception and not the rule! But when I put this particular card together with this scripture, I kept coming back to the butterfly. I would shake my head, mutter I was losing my mind and go back to work. So the card remained blank. I had paper, ribbon and a scripture but no focal image. That quiet still voice kept saying... "use a butterfly." I fought it even more. After all butterflies are not known for their courage. Or are they?

God revealed something to me during this process. I began to think about the butterfly image in front of me. And I saw that image anew. One of God's most amazing creations is the butterfly! They start as a plain and sometimes downright ugly worm. ***OK, I must admit all worms are ugly*** They feed and prepare for the time to come, waiting patiently for their big day. They form cocoons. They are vulnerable to predators and interlopers. Wrapped in that nest of sorts, they begin to change, slowly becoming something different, new and beautiful! The entire while their vulnerability remains even as they morph into a beautiful new creation. A creature that can soar above those predators!

Finally the big day arrives and they crack open their delicate barrier! Their fragile wings are wet. And the little creature is still so susceptible to any blow or miscue. After stretching their wings to dry, they take flight. And what courage that must take! They have never done this before! But they do. And it is truly a beautiful thing to behold!

God orchestrates such change in our life as well. We start out as ugly, sin burdened creatures. When we accept Christ in our hearts we begin that journey of change. Yes, we are vulnerable just as the butterfly is. There are no guarantees that life will not deal us hard knocks. However, the day will come when we will shed our old body and spread our wings in the new! Yes, Mr. butterfly you are a courageous fellow and thank you Lord for opening my heart to that fact! Blessings.

Lori

Today's card....



Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill, Colorbok
Designer Paper - K & Company - Life's Journey Paper Pad
Stamps & Die - ODBD - Butterfly, Butterfly Corner, Butterfly Die, Not Forgotten
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark (scripture)
Embossing Powder - Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder - Black
Paper Punch - EK Success
Ribbon
Spiral Paper Clip

Today's Challenge - Winged Things - Sugar Creek Hollow Blog

ODBDSLC68 Grand Old...

Welcome to another fabulous Shining the Light Challenge! This week's challenge:

Be Inspired by a WORD or the ENTIRE PHRASE "You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag."

You can use a flag, something flying, something high or grand.....

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Thursday, July 21. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes. You can find complete details/rules at ODBD's blog.

And my design for this week's challenge...



Inspiration - Old (vintage) and high flying (butterflies)...

I randomly stamped the image with all three distress inks. After getting the effect I desired, I used a corner punch to round the edges and inked them. I used the darker Walnut Stain for this part. Once that was completed I stamped my sentiment on with the Walnut ink. I attached a strip of ribbon on the front of my card and tied a double bow. I inked the blossom lightly with the Walnut Stain before adhering to the card front. The leaves are cut out of kraft paper and inked as well. The other details behind the rose are actually tiny medallion punches I cut out of coffee filters! To finish up, I added some pretty pearls in back! You will find a product list below.

Thanks again and I can't wait to see what you will create! Please visit my sister sticks to see the eye candy they have for you!

Chris
Fran
Pat
Sabrina

Card Recipe

Card Stock - Kraft
Stamps - ODBD - Butterflies - Faith, Sentiment - Anchor
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen
Ribbon - Offray Antique White Craft Satin
Paper Punch
Coffee Filters
Blossom - Recollections
Pearls - Zva

Sunflower Thank You

Happy Thursday to you! So sorry it has taken this long to post. You know that old adage, lightning doesn't strike twice? WRONG! Early Monday morning a lightning bolt hit our home (for the second time in the last three months...) and it blew our satellite dish apart. And I do not kid when I say blew it apart... We found pieces scattered all OVER the backyard. We lost our telephone and telephone service, the dish, an alarm clock... I had no power in my scrap room! EEEKKKK... and my Cricut AND laptop took power surges... Thankfully both had built in surge protectors. I purchased a new cord for my computer today! ***Yeah, I can post!!*** And I am waiting on a replacement cord for my E2... Hopefully that will fix the problem as well!

To make things more chaotic, today we had to take dear hubs to Northern KY for a medical procedure. Prayers were answered! He is doing great and had a wonderful report! God is good all the time! Thanks to Chris Olsen over at ODBD who has been SO WONDERFUL! She has been a God send during this technologically challenged time! ***Big hugs if you are reading this Chris!***

Today's project was inspired by a lovely card in the August edition of Papercrafts. The design (by Julie Campbell) used a medallion. I decided to use the same technique to make a sunflower! It was easy and fun all at the same time! This card is also being featured over at Faithfully Yours. Please take a moment to hop over and see what other ideas Dawn has to share! Blessings to you and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill, Colorbok
Designer Paper - stash (unknown)- 1 1/4" squares (12 pieces) folded into cones and glued together
Die - Spellbinders - Petite Scalloped Circles Large
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots (negative side of embossing turned up)
Stamp - Hero Arts
Ink - Versamark
Embossing Powder - Stampendous
Ribbon - Offray

Strawberry Summer

There's nothing I love better than fresh strawberries. OK... let me say with the exception of strawberry shortcake! I LOVE strawberry shortcake! I think it is all the whipped topping and sugar... lol... While vacationing we had a chance to take in a local strawberry festival and boy did they have some good eats!

Inspiration struck... and I dug out some pretty designer paper I had in my stash and went to work... Why is it food is always so INSPIRATIONAL? I guess that extra 20 pounds means I have been really inspired lately... bwaaaahaaaaa...



Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Kaisercraft - Nan's Favorites Collection
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Randi's Song
Ink - Memento Lady Bug
Paper Punch - EK Success
Die Cut - Provocraft Cricut - Preserves Cartridge
Lace - Simplicity
Paper Piercer (strawberry vines on designer paper)
Embossing Folder - Stampin' Up
White Gel Pen

Challenges

Sugar Creek Hollow - Paper Piercing
Mojo Monday 198 - sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ 97 - What Works for You (I chose Embossing Folders as my fav item to work with)

Thanks for reading and see ya next time! Blessings!

Lori

ODBDSLC67 Red White & Blue

Top of the morning to ya! It is my favorite time of the week... ODBD Shining the Light Challenge time...

Here are all the details...

We are asking participants to use red, white and blue on their creation. It is the most patriotic time of year after all... To make the challenge even more fun, Kelley will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Thursday, July 14. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing 1 to 2 creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by July 14at 8 p.m. EST.If you upload your creations to SplitcoastStampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC67. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

And here is my card for this week's challenge...



Recipe

Paper - Bazzill, Neenah Solar Classic
Ink - Copic, Versamark
Stamps - ODBD - Old Flag Background, God Bless America, Our Daily Bread
Embossing Powder - Ranger Queen's Gold
Dies - Spellbinders Ribbon Banners, Labels Eleven
Ribbon, Brads, White Gel Pen

Would you be so kind as to visit my sister sticks and show them some love! They have created some red, white and blue beauties for ya! Blessings...

Chris
Fran
Pat

Checking in...

As you read this post, hubs and I are finishing up another northern adventure. This time we ventured to Michigan's Keenewah Peninsula. John and I have become quite enamored of the UP. We have spent a few days exploring Copper Harbor. And one day we traveled back over to Munising. (I wanted to find another Munising bowl to add to my collection...plus dine at the Navigator...) The Lord has provided us with absolutely gorgeous weather!

The only thing I did not get to do this time was spot a moose. We traveled over to Van Riper State Park in search of one. Apparently they were feeling very shy that day! :^) John has decided we should take a three hour ferry ride over to visit Isle Royale National Park. He says we will be able to see some there. The weather may be a problem... and this little lady does not do well on calm seas... We may have to postpone that adventure for another day...

Stay tuned for tomorrow's Our Daily Bread's Shining the Light Challenge. They are always a blast! Check in bright and early Saturday morning to get all the details.

Here's a photo I snapped just outside of Copper Harbor of Lake Superior. The photo does not do it justice! Thanks as always for reading and I hope to see you again!

Lori

Always Give Yourselves Fully

In today's card I took a Martha Stewart Lattice Punch and modified it (on the card it is actually two pieces) to make it look like a real piece of lattice. I added a touch of plant like ribbon to add to the effect. I also tried my hand at using some of those popular flower punches to create faux hydrangea... I had a blast putting this one together! And isn't that what it is about?

Speaking of having fun... the scripture set I used today is from a recent release by ODBD, Serve the Lord. I have always found it hard to find appropriate stamps to use as encouragement for all those who help in the church. This set is perfect for that and I know this one will get plenty of use creating thank you cards for all of my VBS helpers! Thanks as always for reading! Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill; Neenah Solar Crest
Designer Paper - K & Company - Cottage Garden Collection
Stamps - ODBD - Butterfly; Serve the Lord
Ink - Copics B21 & B23 (butterfly); CTMH Dutch Blue (sentiment)
Punches - EK Success
Dies - Spellbinders - Lacey Circles, Floral Doily Motifs, ODBD - Butterfly Die
Ribbon - stash

Lazy days...

Don't you love those rare times when we can just slow down and relax? I know we do. As I write this, I look forward to another trip to Lake Superior to unwind. Vacations are always so BUSY! ***I am pointing a finger right at myself*** I am guilty of trying to do too much in too short of a time! This scripture really sums it all up. When we step back and take it all in, the LORD will refresh us. I can't wait to park by the lake and just praise Him for all he has done and continues to do. Isn't His creation grand? Blessings my friends...

Lori

Recipe

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny - Barefoot & Bliss Collection
Stamps - ODBD - Porch
Inks - Versamark; Martha Stewart - Ocean
Embossing Powder - Stampendous! Stamp n Stuff - White Opaque
Cuttlebug Folder - Provocraft - D'Vine Swirls
Dies - Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large
Pearls & Starfish Brad - Recollections
Seam Binding

You Are Not Forgotten

Have you noticed anything different while visiting here? I have been experimenting with some new templates. And can you tell I am a red, white and blue nut? lol... I love this time of year and what it represents. I wanted to share something I found recently in a book.

"Thomas Nelson, a Virginian, commanded militia and served as governor during the Revolution. He reportedly instructed artillerymen to fire at his own house on Yorktown when he heard the British were using it as a headquarters. Nelson used his personal credit to raise money for the cause. His sacrifices left him in financial distress, and he was unable to repair his Yorktown home after the war."

(The American Patriot's Almanac, William J. Bennett, pg. 235)

Can you imagine? Having to make the decision to fire on your own home... the place you worked so hard to build? Those early patriots were a tough lot! And I thank God everyday for their vision of America.

When I saw this image from ODBD, I knew I had to create something patriotic. Poppies remind me of the paper ones the VFW sells around Memorial Day to benefit veteran causes. Talk about another tough bunch. Our servicemen and women do an incredible job. And let's not forget their families. They sacrifice just as much, if not more! It is my prayer this July 4th that not one will be forgotten... whether they served over 200 years ago on the battlefield of Yorktown or today in the sands of the Middle East. God Bless those who have served this country past and present. And GOD BLESS AMERICA! Blessings to you and yours!



Recipe

Card Stock - Neenah Solar Crest, Bazzill
Stamps - ODBD - Serve the Lord, Not Forgotten
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic
Scor-Pal, Ribbon, Pearls

Bottle Cap Embellishment Tutorial

Happy Saturday to ya! Trying to get a few last minute things taken care of before the July 4th holiday... And one of the things I promised to do... get out a tutorial for the bottle cap custom embellishment. This video is about 8 minutes. I promise I will cut it down next time. This embellishment does take a little time, so I wanted to show it step by step! Enjoy! And in case you don't remember the card...



And here's the link... See ya soon!