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!