Earth's Crammed With Heaven

I made this card for the CASology Challenge this week - SHOE.  I love this stanza from the poem Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which I computer generated here.  

I made a mask of shoe footprints and sponged inside using a cloud die-cut.  To finish I added some stamped grass and a few tiny butterfly and flower die-cuts.

Supplies include:

Stampin Up Lucky Limeade ink

Ranger Distress Shabby Shutters, Broken China ink

Papertrey Ink cloud die

Woodware flower punch

Woodware butterfly punch

Support the Cause!

My card for today uses the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers given to us by Taylor.  It's also an opportunity to remind you that the Hope You Can Cling To card drive is coming up in October!

Don't forget to come and join us with a different challenge very day during the month, and an opportunity to send your cards to patients at MD Andersons Cancer Treatment Center in Houston - you can read more about it HERE.

Not only do you have the enjoyment of knowing your crafting is bringing some hope and joy to someone fighting the battle against cancer, but I guarantee you'll make some new friends and have some fun in the chat threads for HYCCT!

I used a cloud die-cut to sponge the sky and colored this fun digi with copics.  I added a black fine line frame to the sentiment which is computer generated using Monterey and Urania_Czech.

Supplies include:

A Day For Daisies digi

M-bossibilities embossing folder

Ribbon

Button

Copic

Fine line marker

Papertrey Ink cloud die

CAS Poppy

I created this card for two challenges - the Less is More Challenge 86 - Take 3 Challenges and the Featured Stamper challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

Over at Less is More, Chrissie and Mandi gave us the challenge of choosing three previous challenges and combining them - I chose:

Week 2  One Layer - Flower or Tree 

Week 9 Colour Challenge - A Touch of Red

Week 12 Recipe - 'Off Centre'

They were very gracious with us and said even if the original challenge was a "one layer" we were not required to do so on this one.  

The Featured Stamper this week at SCS is Jackie Rockwell, aka Westie 2.  I love Jackie's trendy, bold CAS style and I based my card on the fabulous style found in this CARD from Jackie's gallery.

The flower is colored with copics and popped up and I added scoring.  

Supplies used:

Woodware Single Poppy

MFT More Essential Sentiments

Copics

Score-pal

Jesus

I made this card for the CASology challenge this week - WHITE.  I've wanted to use these words on a card for a while and the simplicity and purity of an all white card just seemed right!   I picked up this idea from a stamp made by Stampabilities but also added "burden bearer" when I created it with computer fonts (Albermarle Swash and Urania_Czech).   I used the negative die cuts from  MFT's Chevron Die-namics and popped them up along with the sentiment panel, then added some hearts using Verve's From the Heart Dies.  The card stock is white linen which gives a lot of texture not evident in the photo.
It was a very simple, easy card but it packs a powerful message!   The only thing I can add is that to know Him is to love Him.

Graceful Garden Silhouette

I've got a card for you today using the layout for the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers this week, given to us by Korin.  I immediately thought of going for a CAS design with this sketch and though I've added a bit much for a true clean and simple card, I did manage to keep a mostly white background!

I've used Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Nature Silhouettes, which is one of my favorite sets - I love being able to stamp and then sponge a background with these lovely images.  I added a die-cut fence and butterflies to my silhouette garden.  The sentiment is a beautiful Bible verse from the set Graceful Calla Lily.  This beautiful blessing would be suitable for any occasion or for everyday, a simple prayer Paul wrote in a letter to the church family in Corinth.  

It's Wednesday - the week is half way over!  I hope you're having a good one!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies include:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Graceful Calla Lily

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Nature Silhouettes

Cheery Lynn Designs Fence Die

Woodware butterfly punches

Twine

Button

Stampin Up dp

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles

SU Pool Party, Rose Red ink

All Weather Friend

A card made for the CASual Friday's challenge to use black, white and ONE color! 

 I reached for two of my favorite dies for this one - my Papertrey Ink cloud dies (have those ever been used a lot over the past few years!) and MFT's Umbrella Die-namic.   I popped up the clouds on a white linen card stock base and then added the little umbrella in pink and black - the only embellishment is a large black brad on the umbrella.  

I love this sentiment, it's such a sweet and encouraging way to let a friend know that you're there for them through rain or shine!   A quick and easy card!

Supplies include:

MFT Umbrella Die-namic and Stamp set

Papertrey Ink cloud die

SU Basic Black, Melon Mambo card stock

Brad

White Linen card stock

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Raindrops and Leaves

Here's a card I made today based on the Pinterest Inspiration photo over at Splitcoaststampers for the CAS challenge.

I colored the leaves with copics and then popped them up on layers.  

One way to give your cut out images more definition is to go around the cut edges with the edge (not the tip) of a marker - normally I use black but for these leaves I used the darkest shade of the corresponding color.  It's a simple way to take away the white edges of the card stock that sometimes show after cutting out an image.
Because the inspiration photo had a pile of interesting colored leaves with droplets of water on them, I added dewdrops.

This quote from Our Daily Bread Designs Quote Collection 1, is one of my favorites - Abraham Lincoln is one of my heroes!  I believe he based this saying on a verse from the book of Romans which says that God works everything together for the good of those who love Him - in some circumstances that's hard to believe, but I do hang onto it!

Supplies include:

Stamping Up Fantastic Foilage

ODBD Quote Collection 1

Copics 

Dewdrops

Fab 50

I created this card for the Less is More Challenge Week 85 - Ovals.  

What a great challenge, there's so much scope for creativity!

I added some die-cut letters and numbers to a dp oval for a 50th birthday card.  

The cardstock is a dark gray so to pick up on that I colored the pearls with a gray copic.  

Supplies include:

MFT By the Letter Die-namics

Papertrey Ink Number dies

Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Stars dies

Pearls

Copic

White Linen card stock

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Fall Frenzy Blog Hop

Hello!!  Fall is on the way and

we've decided to celebrate the season with a

Fall Frenzy Blog Hop & Virtual Stamp Day!

 The SNSS Design team have created some fabulous inspiration  for you featuring the wonderful selection of Fall stamps so I hope you'll hop along with us today!

 Be sure not to miss a single stop along the way because Korin will  be drawing one lucky commenter from a random DT blog to win a $25 credit to the store!!

My first card is with the cute set Pumpkin Kitty which has several sentiments celebrating harvest.

Here in the UK, primary schools (elementary) often have a harvest gathering where the children bring in food items to share with people in need - I love the emphasis on giving out of gratitude for all we've received!

I masked the image so that I could sponge around the circle with Distress ink, then added a little pile of die-cut leaves in the corner.

Northern Ireland's Parliament building, Stormont, is about a mile from our home here in Belfast.  There's a double row of huge trees on either side of the long uphill avenue to where the impressive building sits.  When the leaves turn these beautiful colors and begin piling up in October, I'll there for a walk with our dog more than once!

Supplies include:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Pumpkin Kitty

Spellbinders Circles

Marianne Design Leaf dies

Copics

Post-it-notes

Sewing machine

Twine

Button

October Afternoon dp

My second card is with the set Autumn Bounty -  I love the sentiments which come in this set, all communicating gratitude and blessing, along with a Happy Thanksgiving greeting for those in North America.  There's also an image with a couple of pumpkins on the vine.

This set was highlighted as a Friday Feature on the SNSS website last week and sold out, but it's still available in digi form separately as Fall Arrangement and Pumpkin Patch!

The lovely sketch was designed by Cathy McCauley, I'll link up details of that later!  

I went with my favorite dp, gingham, and did a lot of stitching to add to the homespun country look.

I also added tiny dots along the scalloped border to play along with the stitching.

All edges have been sponged with distress ink.

Supplies include:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Autumn Bounty

Lillybee Designs dp

MFT Simply Scallops Die-namic

Copics

Ribbon

Button

Corner rounder punch

Sewing machine

Here's a list of everyone participating in the blog hop today:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Monika Davis

Jessica Fick

Cathy McCauley

Mary Faus

Kim Singdahlsen

Bridget Finlay

Dinal Kowal

Jennifer Ingle

Kim Schofield

Ceal Prichett

Giovanna Smith

Jennie Harper

Korin Sutherland

When you're done hopping be sure to join us for a fun day of challenges over in our

Splitcoaststampers forum for the Virtual Stamp Day.
It's a fun way to get creative and meet new friends!

We're giving away some fun prizes, too, so don't miss it -

 looking  forward to seeing your fabulous Fall creations!

Birthday Wreath

My card was created for the Flourishes Any Which Way Challenge.  The sketch is fabulous, so many possibilities!

I love coloring this wreath, it's fun choosing a color combo for the various flowers!  

I also used a new M-bossibilities embossing folder - each folder has two patterns, you simply fold it the opposite way to use the alternative pattern.  

I went for a mostly white card except for sponging the top panel while still in the die with an ink that hopefully picks up the blue in the wreath.

Supplies include:

Flourishes Mothers Words of Wisdom

Flourishes Botanical Bookplates

M-Bossibilities So Trendy embossing folder

Sewing machine

Ribbon

Copics

Spellbinders Nestabilities Rectangles

Some CAS Sunshine

My card was made for today's Sketch Challenge at Splitcoastampers, given to us by Taylor, and this week's CASology challenge -SKY!  The two panels are embossed using M-bossibilites by Spellbinders - both of these are on the same folder, it's just a case of turning it over and folding the opposite way!

I added a die-cut sunshine and clouds to highlight this sentiment which is from a hymn called Great is Thy Faithfulness.  The words are based on a truth from the book of Lamentations which says the God's compassion and mercy never fail, they are new every morning.  Sometimes I need to just stop and say thank you Lord for a brand new day, thank you Lord for every breath.

Supplies include:

Verve New Mercies

MFT Sunshine Die-namic

Papertrey Ink cloud dies

M-bossibilities So Trendy ef

Smooth White card stock

Twine

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Leafy Thanks

The Less is More Challenge #84 is a One Layer Card - Foilage! and the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is embossing!

I embossed the card on each side, then scored an edge, leaving a smooth strip for stamping the leaves and sentiment.  The leaves are from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Autumn Leaves set.  I then curved the sentiment cling stamp on an acrylic block and stamped it in between the leaves, hopefully giving an impression of falling and swirling autumn leaves!

We have a vine in our back garden which has leaves like this which turn a rich red color in the autumn!

I colored the leaves with copics using the following:

R59, R46, R24, R22, R20, R00

Some people don't like using copics for one layer cards but I normally add a liner to the inside of my cards so don't find it a problem.

Supplies include:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Autumn Leaves

Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic (sentiment)

Copics

Darice plaid embossing folder

Score-pal

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Family Blessings

Here's my second card for the CASology Challenge this week - FAMILY!

The idea behind this card is that families are tied together by love!  

I've been half a world away from my family for over half my life and cherish every minute that I get to spend with them.

I used MFT's By the Letter Die-namics and Verve From the Heart dies in a favorite color 

combo, yellow and teal.

Supplies include:

Lilybee Designs Buttercup dp

SU Daffodil Delight, Taken with Teal Cardstock

Twine

Button

MFT By the Letter Die-namics

Verve From the Heart dies

My Sweet Sister

The CASology Challenge this week is FAMILY - what a great theme, I was so inspired I ended 

up making two cards!

I used an older SU set given to me by a sweet Splitcoaststamper's friend, Marie (momof5sons).  My sister's birthday is in September so this was a great opportunity to make a "family" card - we're two years apart and played together happily when we were little girls, so this image seemed perfect. 

The sky was sponged using a cloud die-cut as a mask.

Supplies include:

SU Seaside Sketches

Waltzingmouse Roses in Bloom (sentiment)

Darice Plaid embossing folder

Copics

Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles

Memento Tuxedo Black

SU Cool Caribbean ink

Papertrey Ink cloud dies

Looking for a Miracle

Recently I've been praying for several loved ones and asking God for a miracle.

 Maybe that's why I reached for this sentiment from the set Everyday Miracles to go along with the lovely butterfly and flower image from the Treasured set.  

I know that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and He is still just as able to change lives miraculously today as He was in the days when He walked on this planet -

I've seen it happen!

 The image is colored with copics, cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles and popped up on the dp base, using Lilybee Design Buttercup dp.

The sentiment is cut with My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags Die-namics.

I added some little gold dew drops to a die-cut using the fabulous Lacey Eyelet Border die set from SNSS.  The SU seam binding is spritzed with gold Glimmer Mist and scrunched up for a distressed look.

Ireland's Gray and Green

My card today is based on the Color Challenge colors at Splitcoaststampers - gray, green, and brown!  At first it seemed like it was going to be a huge challenge but then I got inspired by the Irish countryside - rolling green hills and gray skies.  Of course, the grass is so green because the gray clouds bring so much rain!

I masked the bg with post-it-notes and cloud die-cuts, then added the bird and branch die-cuts using Memory Box dies.

Supplies include:

Our Daily Bread Designs Sentiment Collection

Memory Box Woodland Branch, Nestling Bird die

Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles

Papertrey Ink cloud dies

Brads

Brilliance Starlite Black ink

SU Green Galore, Lucky Limeade, Old Olive ink

SU Basic Gray, Old Olive card stock

Be Still and Know

This is my very first entry for two CAS challenges, Less is More and CASology!  The theme for Less is More 83 is Brown & Pink and the theme for CASology #8 is "Relax".   

 I hope my card is clean and simple enough because it's always a challenge (but one I need and love) to use less!  The only embellishment is a brown button.

I masked a strip with post-it-notes and then sponged with several pink inks to make the inked area darker at the edges.  I then inked and stamped the main image.  I had a small stamp with the words "Be still and know..." which I love (from Psalm 46:10) but unfortunately there was a flaw in the stamp and so I had to abandon that and resort to a computer font in the color/colour brown in order to keep my intended message...sometimes we have to relax and be still to know that He is God...and then to experience the things listed in the text behind the chair!

Supplies include:

Paperbag Studio The Chair

SU Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede ink

Button

MFT Fishtail Flag Die-namic

Bohemian Parasols

Today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers is at Olive and Cocoa and I couldn't resist making a card inspired by these Bohemian Parasols.  I used MFT's Umbrella Die-namics and various stamp sets and sponging for the parasols.  I love this sentiment from MFT Umbrella set.

For some reason umbrella's appeal to me, even though I hate to have to run back into the house and grab one when I'm headed out!  Happens a lot around here too!

Supplies include:

MFT Umbrella Die-namics and stamps

Stampendous Desert Star cling

Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Papertrey Ink Flourishes

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

SU Melon Mambo, Lavender Lace, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Cool Caribbean ink

Twine

Button

Smooth White card

SU Basic Black card