~ Mr. & Mrs. ~

Good morning and welcome!  I hope your Monday was kind to you!  Our family just finished up a week of vacation.  We did very little other than doctor appointments and honey do tasks.  We did take a couple of day trips!  We spent an entire day traveling US 68 in Kentucky for the 400 Mile Yard Sale.  I am normally NOT a rummage/yard sale participant.  However, over the last few years, I have had tremendous luck finding antique (collectible) treasures.  We traveled nearly 200 miles in one day, with hubs being the spotter (he has an uncanny knack for finding the perfect sale with what I am looking for.  He is TOTALLY going every year from now on...  lol)  We encountered an AMAZING oak tree in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.  The homeowner told John it was over 20 feet around in circumference!  With Fort Harrod (the oldest continuous settlement in Kentucky) only a quarter mile away...  I'm convinced the early settlers saw that same oak!!!  We had so much fun we decided to drive about 2 hours north to browse the Historic National Road Yard Sale on US 40, also this weekend.  We started near Springfield, Ohio and cruised into Dublin, Indiana before returning home.  Sadly, that trip was not nearly as productive.  I made it home with one Blue Atlas jar.  But honestly, the traffic in that area was CRAZY and sadly the pickings were not what I look for!  Oh, well!  But we sure had fun!  I think we spent more on food and gas than we did treasures!  But my husband proudly told me that he was no longer afraid of yard sales.  I had to inquire about that....  His response?  He didn't know that you could just strictly limit yourself to buying a few things...  lol...  He said in years past, he always came home with stuff he would just throw away...  because he felt like he had to buy something!  😔😀 So now I have created a monster!  Granted, one that won't buy anything... hee hee 

Today, I have another card to share with a wedding theme...  For this project I used Our Daily Bread Designs' Happy Wedding Day, Wedding Wishes Paper Pad, Scalloped Chain Die and Mr. & Mrs. Die.

 I started with a soft silver Designer Paper layer, added a silver print DP (cut slightly smaller) and a deep silver DP cut with the new Scalloped Chain Die.  (All papers are in the NEW Wedding Wishes Paper Pad.) I stamped the sentiment (Happy Wedding Day) with a soft gray ink and die cut my panel with the Double Stitched Pennant Flags Die.

For the center panel, I used the Mr. & Mrs. Die and Wedding Wishes Paper Pad nested on a matted panel created with the Ovals Die and Pierced Ovals Die.  A couple of die cut white hearts (Layering Hearts) adorn the bottom.  Here are the new items from this month you see...

Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time,

Blessings!

 

Welcome June with a New Release from Our Daily Bread Designs

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Bread Designs' June release.  June is traditionally the month for weddings.  And this release is all about the beauty of love and the magic of saying I Do.  From a new paper pad to stamps and coordinating dies, ODBD has just the right supplies to help us create the perfect card.  First up, I have a card featuring the new Happy Wedding Day stamp set, coordinating Heart Topiary Die and new Wedding Wishes Paper Pad.

I started with a white card stock base, cut at 4.25 inches and then at 11 inches.  I scored and gate folded the card at 5.5 inches.  I chose a soft smoky DP from the new Wedding Wishes Paper Pad and die cut it with ODBD's Pierced Rectangles Die.  I chose a lovely wedding print from this same collection and die cut it with a slightly smaller pierced rectangle die.  I stamped the images (topiary and birds from Happy Wedding Day, coordinating Heart Topiary Die) with a Copic compatible ink on card stock and colored with Copics before die cutting.  After cutting, I placed it on another smoky DP layer and added a sentiment layer (Happy Wedding Day) on a die cut layer Ornate Ovals Die.

So for my second card, I decided to do more of a gold tone... with a fun white seam binding bow....

So this time, I went with a 5.5 inch wide card and gate folded a 8.5 inch card at 4.25 inches.  I added a gold 5.5 x 4.25 inch DP layer using the new Wedding Wishes Paper Pad and another slightly smaller DP with a gold dove image.  I stamped the sentiment with Versamark on white card stock (Happily Ever After) and embossed after adding gold embossing powder.  I cute a slightly larger mat with a rich gold DP (also from the Wedding Wishes Paper Pad) with a old favorite from the Stitched Ovals Die.  I added a rose created with the Rose Dies and Rose Leaves Die.  And here are the new items you see here..

 AND don't forget about today's blog hop!

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 Gift Code to the ODBD Website  just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until June 2, 2017 at 9:00 p.m. EDT to leave your comments on the Designers Blogs for a chance to win!  The Winners will be posted on the ODBD Blog on June 3rd so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

Be sure to check out our BLOG if you get lost along the way...

and now for the design team...

Cathy * Grace * Angie * Dawn * Chris 

* Sandee * Helen * Julie * Robin * Lori (ME)

* Lisa * Diana * Kathy * Sabrina

In case you were wondering, here are a few of the other items you saw today...

And Copic combos...

B21, B23, B24, C0, C1, C2, C3, E55, E57, YG61, YG63

Inks - Memento Gray Flannel, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Delicata Golden Glitz

Embossing Powder - Ranger Queen's Gold 

White Seam Binding 

Recollections Microbeads - Gold

Blessings!

~ A Salute to Teachers ~

Many of us are approaching the end of another school year.  And that means a host of graduation parties, awards dinners and backyard cookouts.  This time of year, has such a wonderful feeling of possibilities!  I am proud to share a couple of cards designed to celebrate a favorite school teacher and Sunday School Teacher. Here is the first project showcasing Our Daily Bread Designs' Class Act stamp set, Notebook Paper Stamp Die Duo, Clipboard Set Dies and A+ Apples Die.

 I started with a rich navy card stock and used ODBD's Side Step Card Die to create my base.  I trimmed patterned paper a bit smaller for each section from the Americana Quilt Paper Collection.  I stamped the sentiment (ODBD's Class Act) with a coordinating navy die on white card stock before framing with the Pierced Ovals Die and Ovals Die.   I stamped the book image on Neenah Solar Crest with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  I then colored the image and fussy cut them before adding the to the card.  I added a few die cut props from the Notebook Paper Stamp Die Duo, Clipboard Set Dies and A+ Apples Die.  I even added a bit of baker's twine (looped around the clipboard) to the faux whistle.  It looks like coach just left it there for a minute...  Here's a side view of the card... 

Not to be outdone, I needed a little something, something for a fellow Sunday School teacher.  So I pulled out the new Sunday School Teacher  stamp set and coordinating Crosses Die.

So I chose papers from the Whimsical Wildflowers Collection  and Plum Pizzazz Paper Pad.  I stamped the image with a soft plum ink on white card stock before using a coordinating die to cut it.  (Sunday School Teacher , Crosses Die)  I added a base layer of white card stocking using the Lattice Background Die.  I also used the Circles Die and coordinating Pierced Circle Dies to frame the cross.  I also used Pennant Flags Die to frame the sentiment panel and coordinating Double Stitched Pennant Flags Die to frame it along with the faux banners.  I double up on the banners behind the cross to make them longer, hiding the seam with the circle dies. 

So here are the new items you see today...

and a few old favorites too...

And inks for these projects...

Copics (Card 1) - R24, R27, R29, B21, B23, B26, YG16, E37, C3

Memento Tuxedo Black (image), Memento Danube Blue (notebook paper lines) 

Stampin' Up - Night of Navy (sentiment)

Card 2 

Memento Grape Jelly

Thanks for stopping by!  

Blessings...

A Look Back at Our Daily Bread Designs' May Release

Welcome to a special look back at this month's release from Our Daily Bread Designs'.  Today, I have a card using Seeds of Knowledge, Clipboard Set Dies, Notebook Paper Stamp Die Duo and A+ Apples Die.  

I started with a white card stock base (4.25 x 11 inches, scored and gate folded at 5.5 inches).  I cut a smaller layer of DP using the Americana Quilt Paper Collection  and offset it to show some of the white base.  I added another slightly smaller white layer...  again offset and a final polka dot design.  (Also found in the Americana Quilt Paper Collection ...)  

I stamped the paper image (using red and blue ink to define the lines) on white card stock and used the die from the set to finish it off. (Notebook Paper Stamp Die Duo)

I inked up my sentiment stamp with black ink (Seeds of Knowledge) and stamped it on the bottom right corner of the "faux" notebook paper page.  I added a die cut magnifying glass (Clipboard Set Dies) and a the perfect die cut grade (A+ Apples Die).  I finished off the card with a fun die cut apple ( A+ Apples Die & red DP from the Old Glory Paper Pad set)  

The ensemble wouldn't be complete without the mini glue bottle to literally hold it all together...  ( Clipboard Set Dies).  

Here are the May release items you see here today...

and a few old favorites...

Be sure to stop by and visit my design team sisters.  They have some fun projects up their sleeve as well.  And if you should get lost along the way, stop by HERE to get your bearings.  Thanks so much and have a blessed day!

Dawn * Cathy * Robin * Lisa * Sandee

  * Helen * Julie * Lori (ME) * Diana

~ Pearls of Wisdom ~

Teachers impact lives each and every day across our great country.  Some of my fondest childhood memories involve places and events involving special teachers.  I spent countless hours with a tiny easel chalkboard playing school.  The hapless victims...   were rows of stuffed animals...  meticulously placed in what I deemed their proper "seating chart."  I loved school.  So much so, in fact, that I imagined spending my life as an educator.  A few semesters in, I heeded to the call of practicality and chose to pursue a degree in business.  And seventeen years later, I chose to return to school to complete a teaching certificate simply because I needed to prove I could do it.  I love the process of learning.  In fact, I would call myself a lifelong learner...  someone who seeks new learning opportunities.  I admire those who use their God given talents to shape young minds.  It is a difficult and often thankless task.  Scores and standards often take priority over what skills or knowledge a child might need.  Teachers are pushed to educate with little to any originality...  there is only one way...  depending on the current method of the moment.  I say all of that to say...  GOD BLESS THOSE WHO TEACH...  We entrust our children to them each and every day.  And they give EVERYTHING they have.  Sometimes they hurt, sometimes they cry and many times they rejoice!  It is a difficult road and I would encourage you to take a moment...  pray for our teachers...  bless them with words of encouragement and support!  And be willing to donate to help them.  Many of our teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets because children do not have the means to bring their own.  Offer a gift certificate to a box store for supplies, a special gift card...  or a simple gesture of gratitude.  It goes a long way!  Blessings... 

So in honor of my favorite childhood "chalkboard" I designed a 4.25 x 5.5 inch card stock base and used ODBD's Rectangles Die to cut out the "base" and create legs.  I embossed the sentiment (white embossing powder on black cardstock using the new Seeds of Knowledge stamp set.  ODBD's Squares Die cut the faux chalkboard out perfectly.  I added a simple strip of brown card stock to create a chalk rail.  The image (also from Seeds of Knowledge) colored and die cut with the coordinating Teacher's Apples Die adorns the side.  I also took some time to play with the new A+ Apples Die.  After die cutting several layers, I scored and folded each, gluing similar sides together at a 90 degree angle.  For my dimensional apple, I used 8 of the larger die cut apples.  I glued on the die cut stem and leaves.  Won't this look cute stationed on someone's desk?

Here are the new items  you see...

 and some old favorites...