Saturday, December 28, 2013

Exploring Cricut ~ Over the Rainbow ~

Good morning!  Thanks for joining me for
another great Exploring Cricut post! 
 
This week I decided to have Roy G. Biv play along!  :-)  And to accomplish this, I pulled out my Elegant Edges cartridge and Everyday Paper Dolls...
 
 I used the Book feature (with Shift) page 29 to create the rainbow edging and trimmed each to layer on a black card stock base.  The cloud and sun are both on Everyday Paper Dolls. 
 
Here's the cuts you will need...
 
Card base is 5.5 x 4.25 black card stock
 
Elegant Edges
Page 29 - Shift Book - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (4 inch cuts)
 
Everyday Paper Dolls
Sun - Yellow - 5.25 inch cut (2 cuts, layered)
Cloud - White - 5.25 inch cut
 
Additional Supplies
Dimensional Foam
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time...
 
Blessings....
 
 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

WAW112 ~ Merry Christmas! ~

Welcome!  It's time for another 
inspirational challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  

Check out the WAW site for all the details including this week's digital scripture image, how to link your creation AND info on our fabulous prizes! 
 
A special thank you to both V's Sweet Ideas and Diane Noble at Daydream Designs by Diane.
 
As you gather with your family today and exchange gifts don't forget to thank the father for sending the most precious gift over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ. 

For without his birth and subsequent crucifixion, we would be lost in our sin, separated from our Lord.  It is through his death that we stand justified before our Lord instead of condemned in our sin. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for coming all those years ago!


Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Supplies

Scripture - Word Art Wednesday
Papers - Georgia Pacific, The Paper Studio, Bazzill, BBP Believe
Misc. - Recollections Pearls, Recollections Snowflakes

 

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Look Back at Our Daily Bread Designs' December Release

  Happy Friday!  Today we are taking a look back at Our Daily Bread Designs' December release.  If you haven't picked up a gift for the stamper on your list and/or someone needs to pick up something for you...  look no further!  These sets are designed to work together to create beautiful cards for all occasions!  And speaking of occasions...  it's hard to believe the month is nearly over!  Today's card will go to a dear friend who is struggling.  She needs a bit of encouragement and I pray this will do the trick!
 
 
and some of the products I used...
 
 

coordinating

 

 
 

 
Now for the layers....  I used a Spellbinder die and embossing folder to create my card base.  I cut 4 dies from the Ornate Borders and Flower set, split them in half and layered them under another fancy die (in white card stock).  I stamped the border image in a soft green and the sentiment in black before using the coordinating die to cut and emboss it.  I garnished the top with mulberry roses and white vines from the foliage die along with greenery from that same set.  

If you haven't had a chance to see what the other "Sticks" have created please check out the links below!  {{hugs}}
 
 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

WAW111 ~ The Prince of Peace ~ Isaiah 9:6

Welcome!  It's time for another 
inspirational challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  

Check out the WAW site for all the details including this week's digital scripture image, how to link your creation AND info on our fabulous prizes! 
 
A special thank you to both
 for providing our prizes this week!

This week we are featuring a scripture from Isaiah that tells of the coming of Jesus Christ...


This week I chose to work with three basic card stock colors...  red, green and white.  I used a background stamp to create the lace DP and used a paper punch and lace trim to adorn the sentiment panel.  A simple garnish of gold bells and baker's twine anchor the corner.  A very simple scheme to highlight such a powerful message.  This week's card was based on the Tuesday Morning Sketch #229
shown here...



And my supply list...

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Ornate Background
Papers - The Paper Studio, Georgia Pacific
Ink - Close To My Heart - Ponderosa Pine
Misc. - Martha Stewart Crafts Paper Punch, Webster's Pages Trim, Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine, ArtMinds Bells

Thanks for visiting!  Praying you are having a wonderful Christmas season!  {{hugs}}

Additional Challenges

{Pin}spirational Challenges - #88
Through the Craft Room Door - TTCRD - December 17-23
Challenges 4 Everybody - #35 Anything Goes

 

Monday, December 16, 2013

Exploring Cricut ~ It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas ~


Welcome to another fun bi-weekly challenge at
 
The challenge this week....
 
"It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas" 
 
create a card, layout, or paper craft for Christmas...
 
and my submission using Joys of the Season...
 
 
Cuts
 
5 inches for plate and peace sentiment
3.167 inches for holly
 
Products
 
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Ornate Background
Ink - Close To My Heart Chocolate
Papers - Bazzill, The Paper Studio
Misc. - Pearls by Recollections
 
Thanks for stopping by!!
 
 


Friday, December 13, 2013

~ Glad Tidings ~

Good morning!  So glad to see ya!  Today, I have a card featuring a new set (new to me) from Close to My Heart.  My dear friend Emily, recently featured this set in our monthly card class and I couldn't wait to crank out some more cards using it! 
 
I must confess this image scared me a bit!  There are certain images that intimidate me!  When you are coloring an image of Mary and baby Jesus...  Somehow I just worry I will never be able to do it justice!  So here it is!  I pulled the fold idea from a recent edition of Cardmaker magazine.

 
There is something about this image that speaks to my heart.  I was never blessed with children but I can only imagine the wonder Mary must have had as she cradled her firstborn.  The questions she may have pondered as she thought about the amazing circumstances of his birth...  The love that only a mother can understand...  This image just cuts directly to my heart on so many levels.  Maybe that is why I worried over the coloring so much...
 
I also added a colored star image from the same set.  I hand cut it after stamping and coloring.  A bit of Stickles adds some bling!  I stamped the sentiment directly on the bottom panel as I couldn't find a die cut that worked!  I wanted the focus to be entirely on the image panel!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Until next time...
 
Blessings...
 
Lori
 
Supplies
 
Stamps - Close to My Heart - Mary and Babe
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Summer Sky
Dies - Spellbinders Ovals Large, Classic Scalloped Ovals Large
Misc. - Stickles - Star Dust

Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Work of His Hands

Good morning!  So thankful you stopped by to share your day with me!  Lori's workshop (AKA.. the craft room) is a mess!  I'm trying to build up a reserve of all occasion cards.  Sadly, I found I have very few of those kind of cards in my stash!  Believe it or not, I had to BUY (gasp) a card this past weekend for a wedding!  What is wrong with me???? 
 
Now that I have found the error of my ways, I am determined to build up my stash!  And speaking of building up your stash...  Our Daily Bread Designs' has a Gift Certificate Special going on until midnight December 14th.  If you need to pick up something for that crafter in your life or your family needs to get something for  you, check it out HERE
 
I've been told, I am hard to buy for (really???).  Gift Certificates are perfect!  The recipient can choose what they want!  Your gift giving is less stressful and the recipient gets just what they want!  :-)  Hey hubs, if you are reading this...  
 
Now back to some serious card business...
Here's a new card for my stash, using a recent release from Our Daily Bread Designs and an oldie from last year...
 
 
and the products I used...
 
Ornate Background (DECEMBER)
 


 
 
SCRIPTURE COLLECTION 9
 
 
 
and the crafting skinny...
 
5.5 x 4.25 black card stock base (Georgia Pacific)
 
1st White layer - Sentiment - Scripture Collection 9 - Versafine Onyx Black - adhered to black card stock base
 
2nd White mat layer (GP) with Ornate Background stamp (Close To My Heart Hollyhock) - over dimensional foam 
 
 Center removed with Circle Ornaments Die, inked with Ranger Distress Ink - Worn Lipstick 
 
and double frame created in Black GP Card Stock with Circle Ornaments Die - applied with dimensional foam
 
Floral Spray
 
Punches - MS Crafts - Bazzill Paper
Recollections Pearl Flourish
 Mulberry Roses - stash
 
Thanks for visiting...
Until next time...
 
Blessings....


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

WAW110 ~ Glory to God ~ Luke 2:14

Welcome!  It's time for another 
inspirational challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  

Check out the WAW site for all the details including this week's digital scripture image, how to link your creation AND info on our fabulous prizes! 
 

A special thank you to both Nice Crane Designs and
 Verve Designs  
 for providing our prizes this week!

This week we are featuring a scripture from the book of Luke and the most wonderful Christmas story ever told...


It seems our tired world needs this message now even more than ever.  Peace, good will, LOVE...  The LOVE of Christ...  Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season!

Supplies

Paper - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Fancypantsdesigns - Home For Christmas, DCWV - The Christmas Basics Stack
Dies - Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia
Punches - Martha Stewart Crafts
Misc. - ArtMinds Bells, Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine, Flower Soft - Meadow

Challenges

Twist of Faith Card Challenge - #67 Traditional Christmas
Ribbon Carousel - RCC88 - Anything Goes
 ABC Christmas Challenge - Make Your Own Embellishment - Poinsettia
Creative Card Crew - Challenge #51 Holly or Poinsettia
 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

~ Manly Plaid + Feminine Doily = One Cool Card ~

I am having so much fun working with this month's Our Daily Bread Designs' release!  (Ok, I have fun EVERY month working with the new stamps!)  My husband swears the smell of new stamps is intoxicating for me!  ;-) 
 
Here's a decidedly frilly project using some new papers in my stash and a whole lotta dies, frills and glue!  It has so many components it reminds me of my Mom's Jam Cake recipe she pulls out every Christmas!  Those cakes are a whole lotta work but boy do they taste FABULOUS! 
 
So here it is, completely calorie free and in honor of my baking analogy...  there's a real honest to goodness doily tucked in there!

 
and the ODBD products I used...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and last month's
 
 
So what do you think?  I love combining blue and white!  Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time...
 
Blessings...
 
Layers
 
5.25 x 5.25 dark navy Bazzill card stock base
white Georgia Pacific mat layer
DCWV The Winter Basics Stacks
Ranger Distress Ink Chipped Sspphire & Tumbled Glass (snowflake DP stripe)
Sunny Side Up Baking Essentials White Doily
Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two (dark navy Bazzill)
White Georgia Pacific (ODBD Ornate Borders and Flowers image, ODBD No Words Sentiment) with Close to My Heart Ink - Outdoor Denim
Recollections Pearls
 

Floral Spray
 
Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die - White Georgia Pacific & Bazzill (leaves)
Flower Soft Meadow (poinsettia center)
ODBD Circle Ornaments Die (Holly Leaves) Dark Green Bazzill
Punches - MS Crafts - White GP
Pearl Flourishes - Recollections
Silver Spray - The Paper Studio

Challenges

A Gem of a Challenge #110 Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes
DL Art - December Anything Goes





 



Monday, December 9, 2013

A Peek at My Christmas Decor ~ It Takes a Village ~

Good morning!  So glad you stopped by!  Hope you have a warm cuppa Joe in hand on this wintry December morning!  I have given up caffeine (and boy am I grumpy...) so I will grab a bottle of water instead! 
 
Today, I am giving you a peek at some of the Christmas decorations in my home.  The last few years have been challenging with physical ailments and the like which would not allow me to decorate the way I love to!  Christmas is my favorite time of year and I am one of those crazy ladies who would have a Christmas tree in EVERY room!  ;-) 
 
I love the look of Christmas villages and have a few pieces I picked up over the years.  Unfortunately, this is one of the décor projects that always fell victim to my lack of energy.  This year, I started early and found a wonderful project to create a starry background for my little town!  I can't take credit for this project, so I will share the link at the end of my post!  It was SO easy and CHEAP!  Gotta love that!  I found everything at my local box store!  And it just adds so much to my village!  Now if I can just find the ceramic bank that was a gift...  :-( 
 
I cleaned off the hutch and layered some Buffalo Snow.  And underneath you will find nearly every small flat plastic container I own!  I wanted to elevate the Silo and Tree Farm (in the middle) so they are on top of my plastic containers.  No leftovers allowed for us for a while!  I don't have anywhere to store them!  :-) 
 
So here's the grand tour of Ulrich land... 
 

If you look closely you will find a tiny nativity in front of the church.  I found a Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus set at a Michaels' store (50 percent off) and added it to the outside of my church.  


And here you can see how I elevated the silo.  The background is made out of LED lights, black foam board and black tulle.  I have listed the link below so you can create one too!  


 
This farm is the very first piece I owned!  My parents bought this for me when I married and left home nearly 20 years ago!  They wanted me to remember my roots!  The cows are Holsteins.  And since I grew up on a dairy farm that makes it even more special!  I only had 2 Christmas' with my Dad after this gift...  Naturally, I treasure it!  
 
I hope to find a few more buildings to add to my collection after Christmas this year.  In the meantime, I plan on picking up an oval mirror on my next trip into Hobby Lobby and add it in front of the horse.  (I think the chickens need a watering hole...)  I plan on placing a few cotton balls around the edge to create a snowy pond!  So what do you think? 
 
Thanks for stopping in!  I hope you enjoyed a peek at my décor and I hope it might inspire you to pull out some of those forgotten treasures! 
 
Blessings...
 
And here's the link on how to create the starry background... 
 HERE

Sunday, December 8, 2013

~ Ornate Borders ~

Good morning!  Hope you are having a blessed Lord's day!  The weather outside is frightful!  So frightful in fact, that I had to cancel a business trip for tomorrow!  I love looking at snow but it tends to annoy me when I have to change my travel plans.  But when life gives you lemons you make lemonade.  So I guess in this case, I will make snowballs and have an old fashioned snowball fight!  :-) 
 
Today I have a wonderful card to share featuring a few things from the December release at Our Daily Bread Designs...

 
and some of the ODBD products I used...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and coordinating
 
 

I began with a 5.5 x 4.25 inch card base in a rich red.  I then used the Ornate Background stamp to create my next layer on white card stock.  After trimming it slightly smaller, I added it to the base layer.  I cut a smaller piece of card stock and used a Spellbinder ornament shaped die to create a frame.  I added it with dimensional foam and stamped coordinating corners using Ornate Borders and Flowers.  I added those after trimming by hand and used Ornate Borders Sentiments, Ornate Borders and Flowers and the Ornate Borders & Flower Die to create my sentiment.  I added it to a seam binding bow (dressed up with a pearl) and added it to the top!  Love the shadow look! 
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I will have several projects to share this week including another Word Art Wednesday project, Exploring Cricut, North Coast Creations and a few Our Daily Bread Designs' posts!  WHEW!!!  And stop back tomorrow as I share some of the home décor things going on at my house!  I thought I might give you a peek into some of the Christmas decorating going on at the Ulrichs'!  ;-) 
 
Until next time...
 
Blessings...
 
Challenges
 
Twist of Faith Card Challenges - Baubles and Bells - #66

Thursday, December 5, 2013

A Look Back at North Coast Creations' November Release

Welcome to our look back at this month's North Coast Creations release!  It has been a month of cats and dogs, oh my!  And the ladies, so lovingly called the "Coasters" have some fun projects to share!
 
Here's mine, featuring the stamp set, Santa Paws...
 
 
I tried to create a shiny black lab this time!  I really wanted a St. Bernard but I wasn't feeling that confident in my coloring skills!  ;-)
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Be sure to check out the other ladies and their links for some fabulous projects!
 
Hugs
 
Lori 
 
Julie * Dawn * Lori (you are here) * Sandee * Amber * Lisa
 
 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

WAW109 ~ Rest ~ Psalms 37:7

Welcome!  It's time for another 
inspirational challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  

Check out the WAW site for all the details including this week's digital scripture image, how to link your creation AND info on our fabulous prizes! 
 
This week we are featuring a scripture from Psalms...


Supplies Used

Digital Scripture - Word Art Wednesday
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Ornate Background; Poinsettia Wreath
Dies - ODBD Fancy Foliage, Poinsettia Wreath Die, Spellbinders Standard Circles Large and Scalloped Circles Large
Paper - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Ribbon - Offray
 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Exploring Cricut ~ Christmas Cards Challenge ~

Welcome to another fun bi-weekly challenge at
 
The challenge this week....
 
 Create a Christmas card using any cartridge from your stash in ANY color! 
 
We want to inspire you to create some cards for your Christmas stash!

This week I chose to work with a Cricut Lite cartridge, Inspired Heart, to create a lovely faith based card!
 
 
I cut the image out at 3.75 inches (base layer in blue and image in white).  The card base is a simple 4.25 by 5.5 inch card with a mat layer of blue and another layer of snowflake embossed white.  I added a bit of blue/white ribbon from my stash!  Super simple and easy to mass produce this Christmas!  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!
 
Lori
 
Supplies
 
Cricut Cartridge - Inspired Heart - 3.75 inch cuts (blue & white)
Paper - Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Embossing Folder - Darice
Ribbon from my stash

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Welcome to Our Daily Bread Designs' December Release

Welcome to Our Daily Bread Designs' December New Release Hop! 

This month we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  His life given for us, was the most precious gift ever given!  This month, we are sharing some lovely sets that help you express your thanks, uplift a friend or just remind someone you are thinking of them!  Sentiment sets are so handy!  And when you have a coordinating set that includes everything from a background to dies...  well...  it's FABULOUS!

AND you have a chance to get your hands on these or other ODBD stamps of your choosing!  How, you ask?  Three winners will be randomly chosen from the comments left on the designers' blogs to receive a $25 Gift Certificate to the ODBD Store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD Stamps.  You have until December 2, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. EST to make your comments!  The winners will be posted on the  ODBD Blog on December 3rd, so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

So would you like to take a peek at these new sets? 



 and here are what the complete sets look like...



 
I stamped the Ornate Border image with a Danube blue ink on white card stock.  I used the coordinating die to cut out the image.  I scored a second piece and used the die to cut out a coordinating hinged back.  (Make sure your die is above the fold so you have a hinge to glue your focal image on.)  I stamped the top sentiment layer (with smaller ornate border stamp) and used the die to cut it out as well.  I split the blue die cut in two and added the halves to the bottom for interest.  A couple of blue rhinestone finish it off!  I just love it!   

Now this one uses the Ornate Background stamp, Ornate Borders and Flowers along with the No Words set.  The Ornate Borders & Flower Die ties it all together. 

 
and here are the ones I added into the mix...


 
I scored the white card base with a triangular pattern and stamped the ornate pattern (light gray) on white card stock.  I used a gray CS to mat it before positioning it with dimensional foam.  I added my own rosette (created by scoring a 12 inch piece of gray card stock at 1/4 inch intervals).  I used the Ornate Border stamp to create my sentiment panel (plus coordinating die) and added the sentiment in black (No Words set).  A few strategically placed pearls finish it off! 

So what do you think?  Didn't I tell you these sets would help fill out your stamping needs?  Now, don't forget to stop and share the love with the other "Sticks" for chance to win!  Thanks for stopping by!  {{hugs}}

Lori 

 
Dawn * Grace * Cathy * Lisa * Sabrina * Julie *

Chris * Audrey * Angie * Silke * Tosh *

Lori (YOU ARE HERE) * Sandee

ODBD Blog *
 
 
 
 
 

Surprise!!! It's Best Bunny!

There is something about Granny Apple Green that just brings a smile to my face!  When the first signs of Spring appear you are sure to see...