I Come Bearing Gifts

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did! And I ate entirely too much! Hubby and I spent the day with our son and his family. My Mom came along with her famous homemade yeast rolls! Yum! I dread going anywhere near a set of scales for a while. We had an enjoyable day eating, sharing and enjoying one another. I worked a dimensional puzzle with the oldest granddaughter. That made my head hurt! But I know that memory is one she will cherish for years to come. Hopefully she will remember that when Lori is long gone. That's what it is all about really... passing on traditions and lore... creating memories with those we love. I plan on keeping that in mind as I prepare for the Christmas season. It shouldn't really be about stuff! Even though I have to confess I did take in some Black Friday sales.... more looking than anything else... LOL

Today's image is from Susanne's Custom Art and Card Design. I think this image speaks to my earlier point. Children just naturally love to share with others. We could learn a great deal from their zest for life! Blessings to you and yours today!

Lori

Card Design

5 x 7

Card Stock - Dark Brown, Dark Red - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Holly Jolly - Winter Branches (reversible)
Stamps - Image - Susanne's Custom Art and Card Design - Elisabeth Bell - Flower Cheer
Stamps - Sentiment - Gina K. Designs - Blessed is the Season
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ink - Edge of Image - Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa
Ink - Markers - Copic
Ribbon - Offray - Grosgrain 1 inch Brown
Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large
Pearls - Kaisercraft
Glitter Pen - Sakura Gelly Roll - Clear Star (Hair Ribbon and Ribbon on Bouquet)

Copic Colors

Sweater - R49, R59
Cords - E33, E35
Hair - E33, E35, E37
Poinsettia & Ribbon - R27, R46
Greenery - YG67
Flower Centers - Y17
Belt and Shoes - E37, E39
Skin - E00
Blush - R20

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

I'm not sure this is exactly the look I was shooting for. lol... I colored the image (by Elisabeth Bell) recently at an image swap. I thought the image would be perfect for a Christmas wedding card. Just one problem... I don't know anyone getting married this holiday season... bummer! So I decided to make it into a traditional Christmas card. The sentiment is very light. I used a light teal ink. And in hindsight I think I should have gone darker... Sounds like coloring your hair right! Tee hee... Well here it is! I hope it provides some ideas for you this year!

Blessings to you and yours! And have a wonderful Thanksgving today!

Card Recipe

5 x 7

Card stock - Bazzill (dark teal), Georgia Pacific (white)
Card stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Best Creation GP 080
Stamp - Image - Elisabeth Bell for Whiff of Joy - Willow with Lantern
Stamp - Sentiment - Our Daily Bread Designs - Peace & Joy
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Markers - Copic
Ink - Sentiment - Studio G VP0012
Ink - Background - Sponged on Stampin Up - Going Gray and Memento Summer Sky
Ribbon - Michael's - Silver Wire
Pearls - Scrappers Must Haves

Copic

Bride - C0, C1, C2
Holly & Berries - YG17, R46
Skin & Blush - E00, R20
Flame - YR15, YR18
Hair - E25, E32
Sakura Glaze - Lantern
Sakura Gelly Roll Star - trim on dress, ribbons

Santa is Coming to Town!

Here we are the day before Thanksgiving. Don't you just love the holiday season? There is so much meaning this time of year. I think of the Pilgrims celebrating the first Thanksgiving. Half of their population died from exposure and malnutrition simply because they wanted to worship the one true God. And Christmas... how a baby born in a manager in Bethlehem changed the entire world. It is a wonderful time of year and I am so blessed and tremendously thankful for all the gifts my Lord has given me. I can't praise him enough!

Today's card actually uses an image of Santa Claus. Many people don't know the story behind the real Father Christmas who made sure children in his village had little treats at Christmas time. Somewhere we lost the real meaning of Christmas and self sacrifice for others. I have been very guilty of focusing so much on getting the perfect "gifts" that I have forgotten about the most important gifts. First of all, I pray my family and friends know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Second, I pray that the gifts I give are from the heart and build "memories" not "materialism." I pray that I also become more child-like in my dealings with others.

The image of Santa reminds me of this. Children are so true in their faith. For a few brief years they "BELIEVE" there is a Santa. Even though the logistics of it are impossible not to mention improbable they believe with all their heart. It is my prayer that I take that wide eyed innocence into this season of love and giving.

In the book of Luke, the disciples were squabbling about what ranking they would have in heaven. (How true is this today among Christians? I know I have been guilty of this on more than one occasion.) Jesus perceiving the magnitude of this little ego trip promptly placed a child beside him and began to gently counsel the disciples.

And said unto them, "Whosover shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he is least among you all, the same shall be great."
Luke 9:48

Wow! Blessings to you-

Lori

Card Recipe

5 X 7

Card Stock - Georgie Pacific (white & black), Bazzill
Pattern Paper - Anna Griffith
Stamps - Image - Close to My Heart - Share the Magic
Stamps - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - I Believe
Ink - Image and Sentiment - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Copic - Markers
Ribbon - 7/8 Offray Grosgrain - Black
Stickles - Diamond (belt buckle and sentiment)
Gold Pen - Uni-Ball Gold Gel Pen
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots
Die Cut - Fiskars Punch



Copic Colors

Reds - R27, R29, R46
Blacks - 110, C7, C5
Skin - E00
Blush - R20
Lips - E04

My Favorite Bird

And it's not because it is the state bird of Kentucky.... I love cardinals! There is something so cheery about seeing the bright red male against a beautiful new snowfall. And even though it is very mild here all too soon the snow will come. And just when the days are their shortest and winter seems so long, Mr. Cardinal will come right along and perk me up with his shot of color! Red is one of my favorite colors anyway. And it definitely improves the mood (unless you are a bull...) lol

I decided to showcase one of my favorite stamps (a cardinal of course) against a very plain background. I wanted to mimic the beauty of a bright cardinal against new snow. Take pleasure in the bright spots in life! Enjoy a little shot of color in your creations!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

5 x 7

Card Stock - Georgia Pacific - White
Image and Sentiment - Close to My Heart - A Season of Splendor
Inks - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Inks - Holly Leaves - Memento's Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy
Inks - Holly - Memento Lady Bug
Ink - Beak - Memento Tangelo
Inks - Sentiment - Memento Lady Bug
Inks - Cardinal (Memento Rhubard Stalk on edges and Lady Bug on body)
Inks - Background - Memento Summer Sky (sponged over a scalloped circle to make clouds)
Die Cuts - Spellbinders, Nestabilities - Pendant Lattice
Punch - Martha Stewart
Cuttlebug Folder - Snowflakes (this layer was showered in Smooch Spritz)
Smooch Spritz - Vanilla Shimmer
Ribbon - Offray 5/8 Satin Red
Stickles - Ranger - Diamond (on leaves and holly)



I decided to fix my ribbon to look like a package! I think I will have to do this again!

Please Excuse My Mess...

Thanks to one of my followers Tam for suggesting I label all of my posts! I've seen this done on countless blogs and just never took the time to investigate! (P.S. Tam -
I really appreciate your kind words about my work.) I enjoy making cards especially and love to get feedback from my followers. It keeps me going on rough days!

I almost have the labeling project done. I'm sure I will do some modifications as I get into it. But I am into posts from September of this year so it should be done soon. I tried to delineate by stamps, techniques, seasons, etc. I hope that helps!

Blessings to you this Lord's Day!

Lori

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Friday night I had the opportunity to participate in a card class my friend Emily was having. We had so much fun! I enjoy getting to chat with others plus see what fabulous things they are creating!

We created 4 cards (all pre-cut) and then created 2 on our own. The best part was we got a stamp set to keep. I love building my stamp collection this way. I now have 6 COMPLETE Christmas cards! How cool is that? Thanks again Emily for hosting and sharing your talents!

So with a new set of Close to My Heart stamps in hand, I had to go to work... tee hee...

I bought this designer paper a few years back. I loved the non-traditional colors (brown and blue) and the designs. But you know how that goes... I put it in my obscene paper stash and never pulled it out! So when I saw the cute reindeer image on the I Believe set, I knew this paper would be perfect! I even copied one of Emily's ideas of using a red rhinestone on Rudolph's nose! How fun!

So try something different this week. Pull out that paper you have collecting dust or add a shot of unexpected color to your project! Who would have thought that a red rhinestone would add so much to a brown and blue color scheme? Sometimes we have to be a little daring! Go for it! And have a wonderful Saturday!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

5 x 7

Card Stock - Brown, Periwinkle - Bazzill
Card Stock - Kraft - Gina K. Designs
Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Bohemian Christmas - Merry Paisley Paper, Merry Reindeer Paper
Image - Close to My Heart - I Believe
Sentiment - Close to My Heart - Holiday Warmth
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ink - also sponged over the Nestability... edges only
Nestabilities - Large Standard Circles
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 Grosgrain Brown
Jewel - Kaisercraft Basics Rhinestones - Red



I created the bow with my Bow Easy! Love that tool!

Stamp TV Color Challenge

Well, I meant to enter this in the challenge... lol... I don't know if this challenge is still open but here's my card. This particular one by Gina K. at Stamp TV asked everyone to use red, teal and white. Tougher than it looks, I tell ya... I wrangled with this one for a while and then didn't even get it posted until 3 days later... Oh, well...

Blessings to you this week and I hope you are not like me, so far behind, you think you're ahead... LOL

Lori

Card Design

5 x 7

Card Stock - Georgia Pacific - White
Card Stock - Gina K. Designs - Red Hot
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny - Tis the Season - Snowflakes
Stamps - Sentiment and Image - Gina K. Designs - Blessed is the Season
Ink - Memento - Lady Bug
Ribbon - Offray 5/8 Satin Red
Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Labels One
Stickles - Ranger - Diamond (trees and snow)

One Card, Two Ways

Don't you just love when you can use one design and create multiple cards? It warms my heart! Today's cards were inspired by a recent project on Stamp TV. I decided to do a "clean and simple" version and another "busy" version. If you notice the second image uses pattern paper while the first is strictly a no frills kinda card. Most crafters I know have one style they prefer but may wander into different genres as their mood changes. Sometimes I love to use pattern paper and then others... it just doesn't appeal to me. That's the beauty of a simple design. You can easily adapt it to your own unique style. Have a wonderful week and thanks for visiting!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

5 x 7 inch

Card Stock - Georgia Pacific - White, Bazzill - Dark Blue
Stamps - GKD - Blessed is the Season
Cuttlebug - Polka Dots Folder
Ink - Close to My Heart - Moonstruck
Nestabilities - Classic Small Ovals, Classic Small Petite Scalloped Ovals
Ribbon - Offray - 5/8 Satin Royal

(The script stamp was used twice side by side on both cards. I then used the focal image to cover the seam.)



And here is the second card. This one is my favorite!



Card Stock - Georgia Pacific - White
Card Stock - Bazzill - Dark Green
Designer Paper - Doodlebug - Festive Forest
Stamps - Gina K. Designs - Showtime Stamp Kit - Blessed is the Season
Ink - Memento - Bamboo Leaves
Nestabilities - same as above
Ribbon - Offray - 5/ 8 Leaf Satin

A Formal Christmas

When I think of Christmas the colors black and white do not come to mind! lol But today I just had to be different. The card I have today was inspired by a recent post on Stamp TV. I have used the partial embossing technique before but saw it again there and decided to revisit it. This card was very quick and easy! Boy, do I love that this time of year! And relatively inexpensive since I used standard card stock (purchased in bulk at my local discount store). In fact, this card or something similar could be cranked out in large numbers quickly for your holiday cards!

If all goes well, I hope to have mine finished by Thanksgiving! Wouldn't that be great? Blessings to you this Lord's day. I hope you make it a great one! And thanks as always for reading and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it very much!

Lori

Card Recipe

Design 4 1/2 x 5 1/2

Card Stock - White, Black - Georgia Pacific
Embossing Folder - Provocraft - Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots
Scor-buddy
Stamps - Image & Scripture - Our Daily Bread Designs - Peace & Joy
Ink - Memento - Tuxedo Black - Scripture
Ink - Embossing - Versamark
Embossing Powder - Image - Stamp-n-Stuff - White Opaque
Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large, Eyelet Circles
Ribbon - Unknown

We Three Kings

The countdown to Christmas continues today. Except, instead of gift giving I have switched back to Christmas cards. Today's project uses a new set of stamps (new to me) from Our Daily Bread Designs. I have been eyeballing this set for a while and recently decided to bite the bullet and purchase. And I am wondering why I waited? I just love this set! I can't wait to use it on other projects! Blessings to you and yours! Make it a wonderful day!

Lori

Card Design

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Neenah Solar Crest
Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Bohemian Christmas - Merry Paisley Paper
Stamps - Image and Scripture - Our Daily Bread Designs - We Three Kings
Ink - Image - Stampin Up - Going Gray
Ink - Embossing - Versamark
Ink - Background - Ranger by Tim Holtz - Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass
Embossing Powder - Ranger - Queen's Gold
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 Grosgrain Brown
Die Cut - Provocraft - Cricut - Home Accent Cartridge

St. Bernard Ornament

Hard to believe we are a few short weeks from Thanksgiving. That means Christmas is just around the corner. In Kentucky, we are having wonderful weather. Today will be in the mid 70's (unheard of for this time of year). There's nothing like putting out Christmas decorations in short sleeves... LOL... But with the holidays rapidly approaching, I am looking for quick and easy gifts. Yesterday, I posted a wall hanging and today, I have an ornament for you. This particular gift will be one for a fellow St. Bernard lover. However, you can modify this to go with anything you want. You are only limited by the type of stamp you use! Thanks so much for reading!

Blessings-

Lori

Ornament Recipe

Card stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Anna Griffith
Stamp - Eat Cake Graphics
Ink - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copics
Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels - Iridescent Gold (applied to green and burgundy card stock)
Die cuts - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Large Ovals, Fleur De Lis Pendant, Large Petite Scalloped Ovals
Die cuts - Holly Leaves - Provocraft Cricut - Winter Wonderland Cartridge
Pearls - Kaisercraft - Red
Ribbon - Unknown



Copic Colors

Elves - YG17, YG67, R59
Flesh - E00
Blush - R20
St Bernard - E33, E37, E39
Tag - C1, C2
Collar - R59

Stamping in Time: On Assignment Challenge

Thanks to Betty at Our Daily Bread Designs for asking me to host today's Stamping in Time Challenge!

When I think of quilts, I think of the traditional crazy quilts that my grandmother made. Even though she passed away when I was a small child, I feel like I know her by her handiwork. Back then, quilts were stitched either on a treadle sewing machine or by hand. And she used the scraps she had available. She was "green" before it was cool! The plaids may have come from Grandpa’s old shirt and the calico may have been scraps left over from clothing for the children. One section of the quilt even looks like something left over from a necktie!

To create today’s project, I adhered scraps of designer paper and card stock to a 5 x 7 inch paper base. (This project is perfect for those leftover scraps you have lying around.) I then stitched the scraps into place with my trusty sewing machine. As you can see, I tried to pull scraps of plaids and drab colors that mimic a crazy quilt. And I purposely stitched with red thread. (My grandmother’s quilt has the same color and type of stitching.) The verse is from the recent ODBD set, Our Daily Bread. There are a few fun details too. Notice the paper piercing on the bottom of the verse? I also added some random buttons from my stash along with a couple of dress maker pins. I also decided to add a scrap of paper with a button to the bottom corner of the frame! I mounted the project inside a plain 5 x 7 inch picture frame (glass removed) from my local discount store. I plan to give this as a Christmas gift this year! Thanks for playing along this week! I can’t wait to see what creations you come up with!

Blessings,

Lori

Card Recipe

Scraps of Card Stock and Designer Paper
Sewing Machine
Spellbinders Nestabilities – Ovals Large
Stamp – Our Daily Bread Designs – Our Daily Bread
Versamark
Ranger Super Fine Detail Black Embossing Powder
Heat Gun
5 x 7 picture frame (glass removed)
buttons
dress pins
floss (on buttons)

Before stitching -



A close up of the final product... I love the pins!

Praise the Lord

Today's card was created using an image from Stampavie. Specifically this image is called Francesca in the Winter Field by Sarah Kay. The sentiment is one I pulled from a group of Inkadinkado stamps. I think the sentiment goes well with this image. I know in the cooler months, I forget all the things to be thankful for. It is easy to focus on the shorter days and challenging weather and forget the beauty all around us. The little girl in this image seems to be taking time to see the beauty in it all by stopping to appreciate the birds as they gather food for winter. So as this weekend I pull out my scarf and gloves, instead of grumbling, I plan on celebrating what God as given me. I have another day of life and a beautiful season to behold. Praise the Lord for all the things he has done!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

6 X 6 inches

Card Stock - Unknown - Dark Brown, Metallic Aqua, Fawn
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - We R Memory Keepers - Maple Grove - Birch & Walnut
Stamp - Image - Stampavie - Francesca in the Winter Field by Sarah Kay
Stamp - Sentiment - Inkadinkado - Good News
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Image - Copic - Various (Sorry, I think I used everything on this one....)
Die Cuts - Spellbinders - Standard Circle Large, Pendant Lattice
Watermark Ink - Versamark
Embossing Powder - Ranger Embossing Powder Copper
Ribbon - Stampin Up

Friendship Jar - Holiday Edition

Sounds like we may get a snowflake or two tonight in the Ohio Valley. It will be mixed with rain but I guess this will mark the unofficial start of winter. So with that in mind, I decided to pull out a holiday theme. The image I used today is from Papertrey Ink. The main design is known as a Friendship Jar. With each holiday/season you can purchase images to stamp inside the jar. A while back I posted an image with candy corns and then another with leaves and acorns inside the jar. This set has peppermints, sugar cookies, snowflakes and even stamps that can convert the jar to a mug brimming with hot chocolate. Cool, huh? Well, maybe hot... tee hee...

To complete this image I had to pull out some tartan (this designer paper is from SEI) plus a myriad of card stock. I stamped the lid image on the tartan and after cutting it out paper pieced it onto the image. The third layer of card stock is actually a metallic paper (silver to be exact). The silver, red and black combo really stand out. I can't wait to give this card away!

Hope you are having a wonderful week. Please watch my blog over the coming week or so as I have some fun things going on! I can't wait to see you! Blessings!

Lori

Card Recipe

6 X 6 Inch

Card Stock - Black - Georgia Pacific, Red - Gina K. Designs, Silver - unknown
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - SEI - Alpine Frost - Winter Guest
Image - Papertrey Ink - Friendship Jar
Sentiment & Filler - Papertrey Ink - Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers
Ink - Image and Sentiment - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copic (colors listed below)
Ink - Edging of Image - Stampin Up - Going Gray
Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Labels Eleven, Fleur De Lis Pendants
Glitter Glue - Stickles - Diamond - applied to colored tie on jar lid
Ribbon - Black Satin - Unknown
Bow-Easy Tool - to create this fabulous bow



Copic Colors

Reds - R29, R46 - candy and ribbon on jar lid
W3 - Tone down red and highlight white areas on the candy
C0 - to shadow and highlight the jar

Sympathy to Becca Feeken

My heart is truly heavy today. Becca Feeken of Amazing Paper Grace is undoubtably one of my favorite designers. I look forward to reading her posts and seeing her amazing creations. I went to her site today to find a note from her best friend, Kelly, telling her followers that Becca's beloved husband, John passed away. I feel as if I know Becca and John through her beautiful posts. I hurt for her and her family at this difficult time. It is my sincere prayer that our Lord and Savior will wrap his loving arms around them all and lift them up at this time. John has gone on to meet our Lord and is suffering no more. But as we all know who have suffered the death of a close loved one there is pain for those left behind. Thank you Becca for your ministry and prayers for you and yours.

Lori