Another Round of Thanks

Die cuts and scrapbook papers
are all that have been used to create
all of these cards.

Papers are by DCWV and K and Company.

Dies are from Quickuts and Cuttlebug.
The thanks came with the Cuttlebug "Olivia"
alphabet.

Borders and Bars As Accents

Sometimes a very simple and basic card design can be the most elegant and eye-catching. A little piece of border with a layered bar that is of matching colors and you have a very easy card. It is also a great way to use up some of those scraps.

The papers on this card design are from DCWV's Linen Closet Premium Stack. I really like the soft subtle colors of this stack.

The stamped phrase is from Our Daily Bread Designs.

Textured Background

Spellbinder's Impressabilities embossing stencil was used for this background.

A few hints on using embossing folders and stencils: 1. slightly dampen the paper with a fine mist of water
2. let the paper dry completely before attaching to card base
3. for a textured shape (like a Spellbinder's Label) cut the shape first and them emboss
4. use white core papers and sand just the very top of the texture to expose the white
5. to accent the texture, brayer over the top with a slightly darker ink
6. ink the embossing folder or stencil and quickly emboss.

My Daily View

This is what I see from my brand new wonderfully
perfect covered deck that my fantastically
talented brother built for me.
I love, love, love this deck.
The view is also wonderfully perfect
and it was made especially for me by
a loving and gracious heavenly Father.
Ah, life is so good!

The Real Anointed One

In my devotional studies of Psalms I came across this interesting little tidbit about what it means to be the Lord's anointed. It is a special relationship with God. It means being chosen, consecrated, and commissioned by God for a special function or job.

"Christ" in the New Testament Greek is equivalent to the Hebrew term "Messiah" in the New Testament. Both mean "the Anointed One".

Now this definition and explanation bring up some very interesting facts. I have attended special woman's meetings where everyone received a generic "anointing" with oil. Bogus is all I can say. What about the televangelists that give out special anointing oil or and anointed bits of material for a special donation. Bogus again. There is nothing special about the above. It might have an emotional impact or fill the coffers of a phony preacher, but that is about it. It's a fleshly thing, works, not of God.

What it boils down to is understanding fully what you are supposed to be getting and the conditions that make you eligible to receive it. Only the person truly anointed can know that they have been anointed. David was anointed. Jesus was the ultimate in being anointed, chosen, consecrated and commissioned by God.

Wonderful Birthday

The concept of black and white has always drawn me. It is so elegant and yet simple.

The eyelet die cuts on the top and bottom of the card are from Spellbinders Borderabilities, while the eyelet on either side of the birthday greeting are from a border bar punch by Punch Bunch. The stacked flower is another Spellbinders die. White scallops just below the phrase were made with a Fiskars decorative scissors.

The birthday greeting is a stamp by PSX, aka Personal Stamp Exchange. The company no longer exists. (sob, love their stamps)

Paper Pieced Quilt Card

Can you see what I did? This is so easy and such a fantastic way to use up your scraps. I used a square punch by Punch Bunch to get uniformly square pieces. The edges of the squares have been sponged with dark brown ink as has the edge of the card base.

Place your die cut (or punch) on the quilted portion before it is placed on the card base to cut the aperture. Now a small phrase, picture or contrasting paper can be placed under opening.

The flourish is an extended cut by Sizzix.

Charlene asked for it,

so here it is:

The Thank You series.

This big flower is a Quickuts die cut.



















And more thanks.













Thanks and the Spellbinders labels with vase and flowers













A little vintage look.














Bright and cheery thanks.

A Get Well Card

Don't know anyone that is sick, but it is nice to have a Get Well card on hand just in case.

The phrase is stamped on scrapbook paper, the flourishes were stamped at the top and bott0m and the edges of the Spellbinders die cut were inked with dark brown ink. This little gem was then layered over another die cut and flourishes by Quickutz added.

The embossed paper at the top of the card is from Cuttlebugs A2 folder line. A light sponging of medium brown ink was applied to highlight the embossing. The paper on the bottom of the card is again scrapbook paper from DCWV.

Tomorrow's Dreams

This is such a lovely birthday greeting. It could go on the inside of the card as well.

All of the die cuts are by Spellbinders. The paisley embossing is from a Cuttlebug A2 folder. I used a Distressed Ink pad to color the solid side of the plastic folder and then ran it through the Cuttlebug to emboss.

The edges of the phrase and the paisley label have been sponged with the green ink.

Birthday Card

Three Spellbinder's Labels were used on this card with the small center two being the same die cut but in different sizes.

The papers are from the Linen Closet stack from DCWV. A plain white card with sponged edges becomes a pleasing base when the edges are sponged. The Bosskut flourish in tan matches the sponging on the edges of the card base.

The Happy Birthday is computer generated. There are also brads on the middle die cut.

Not a hard card to make, lots of layers, but basically simple elements stacked up!

Psalm 42:3-5

3. My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is you God?"
4. These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God.
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
5. Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
Psalm 42:3-5

Does this sound like depression? A terrible sadness that is with one waking or sleeping? Mockery from nonChristians? Hmmmmm, now where is that not so subtlely exhibited today? It is very plain in the drive-by media. ABC, CBS, NBC. CNN, MSNBC, public radio and television and most print media, all have a very very blatant bias to the socialist anti-Christian left. Sometimes it feels like a losing battle. How can we have hope to win or at the very least break even with such odds against us?

BUT in verse 5 is the reminder to "Hope in God", "For the help of His presence." . There is none like God. So "Why are you in despair, O My soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?" WHY? Why am I LETTING the enemy win?

"I shall again praise Him" I will remember. Even when things appear the darkest and the most depressing I know where my hope is. The living God, the unchanging God. I have a history with God. Just because unbelievers have not experienced the salvation, joy, comfort and security of being a child of God to NOT negate my history of personal blessing and miracles.

Why do I dispair and become depressed? I see that my emotions and some very minor circumstances have become upset and upsetting, not God. When has God not been faithful or changed? Never, never, never! In the middle of a situation it may look like I have been forgotten, that God does not see, that He is "dead", BUT when it is all over, I can clearly and unmistakedly see the God's hand of wisdom, grace and mercy was there all the time, holding and sheltering me.

Here and now I have chosen to give voice to my joy and thanksgiving, no matter what goes on around me. Praise God!

A Birthday Card

This card has so many fun elements. Let's start with the card base. It is a tan. I have stamped a background image with VersaMark and embossed with clear embossing paper. This creates an image that is a shade or two darker than the cardstock.

DCWV's Linen Closet stack is the source of all the paper but the card base. The octagons were cut from some of that paper. Then Spellbinder's Labels and Nestabilities did the rest. The Happy Birthday is computer generated.

The border on the right is simply layers of scallops. These were cut with my Create-A-Cut. I suspect this product is no longer available. There are several available on Ebay, but I don't think it is being manufactured anymore.

Psalm 42:1-2

1. As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul thirsts for You, O God.
2. My soul thirst for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2

The word pants in Hebrew means "to have a keen, consuming desire for". The psalmist here has a overwhelming passion, like an unquenchable thirst, for God. Not for people, fame or possessions, but for the living God. His very soul thirsts for God.

"the living God", not some piece of wood or a rock, carved by the hand of man. This is a real living God, that can not be bound, bought or limited by man's petty smallness. A God with no ulterior motives, who is eternal, pure and unshakable. A God beyond our human comprehension.

Then he asks, "When shall I come and appear before God?", it is a longing to be in God's very presence and amongst God's people. A desire for a deep personal awareness of God is expressed here. Do I have that same desire? That deep unquenchable thirst for God, to be in God's very presence?

God's Blessings

There is just something about this card. I don't know yet who will receive it in the mail, but it will be someone special!!!!

The paper are from an old Anna Griffin stack. I love her classic Victorian papers.

I used Spellbinders Labels Long Rectangle Nestabilites to cut the dies. The stamped phrase is from Our Daily Bread Designs. The little flourish thingy is a bar punch. No idea who made it.

From the Psalms

I waited patiently for the Lord,
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1

During these troubled and worrisome times the Lord has provided comfort. My commentary on Psalms says that the phrase "waited patiently" actually means, waiting, I waited. For me that means double patience. Being still in the midst of trouble. Waiting also implies to me a quietness to the waiting.

It says that God paid attention, that God heard David's cry.

Now if anyone would know about patience and waiting for the Lord's timing it should be David. I have read the from the time David was anointed King of Israel until he actually assumed the throne was 15 years. That's right, 15 years of waiting on the Lord. 15 years of running and hiding in the desert and in foreign cities or countries from the mad King Saul.

During those 15 years David had opportunity to kill Saul with no danger to himself. Yet he knew that Saul was also God's anointed and that it was vital to his future to wait on God's perfect will. It was in those 15 years that David became a mighty man of God. A man fit to be one of the most memorable kings that ever ruled Israel. A man who has become an example to all Christians and Jews. In spite of his many mistakes (sins) he returned to God over and over, contrite and repentant and God forgave him.

I see in the Bible the mistakes and triumphs of David. He was a man. He messed up, often in spectacular fashion, BUT God forgave him, just as he forgives us.

So my waiting has purpose. It is to grow me for God's service. To change me into a more Christ like person. I fear it is going to be a long difficult task for the Lord, but He is known for his miracles.

I Am With You

More Spellbinders Labels, Blossoms and Flourishes. Add a craft paper card stock base, an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp and some dark brown ink for sponging the edges and you have all the elements used on this card design.

I used only part of the label, letting 1/3 of it disappear over the edge of the card. On some designs I simply fold the piece over to the back of the card adding a different touch.

On Safari Again

When I got the Safari stack from DCWV I was stepping totally outside my comfort zone. The idea behind the purchase was to make more neutral or even man type cards.

The card on the left is a very very simple design. The card front has been totally covered with scrapbook paper from the DCWV Safari 8x8 stack.

The bar on the left was attached to dark brown card stock and cut with decorative scissors. My thinking on using the scallops was to match the circular patterns on the paper.

Next was stamping the paw prints. These were an unmounted stamps that I have had for ages and have absolutely no idea who made them. I punched them out with some Punch Bunch punches. The bottom layer is from a paint chip.

The Happy Birthday is from Hero Arts, with partial paw prints on the top. This punched square was then layered onto corrugated paper that had the edges heavily sponged with dark brown ink.



There is nothing creative about this card. It is the image that was already on the paper found in the DCWV Safari 8x8 stack, simply glued to a card base.

With the right scrapbook paper cards can be really really fast and simple.

It would take nothing to stamp or computer generate a small phase, punch, cut or tear it out and attach somewhere on the front. Ten minutes at the most and you have an attractive card.

Wishing You Blessings

I am finally back from a wonderful but very exhausting trip to Houston Texas.

This is an example of a type of shadowing. I cut two of the larger label then glued the main one over the "shadow", offsetting it slightly. With the white label used for the phrase and a white label used for the shadow there is a continuation of color.


Acknowledgment of products: Die cuts - Spellbinders, Stamp - Our Daily Bread Designs, Border folder embossing - Cuttlebug, Papers - Anna Griffin by All Night Media












What is on the inside? Using a scrap of the paper from the large printed label leftovers, place it along the right hand side. A decorative scissors will give you a pattern to match the style used on the outside of the card.

Be gone for a few days

There will be no new cards for 10-12 days. I am off to Texas to visit my cousins and just have all kinds of great fun!!! God Bless, Shelly