Spring Birdies

Hi, everyone!  This week's Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast is to find inspiration from Unique Vintage......there is something about gingham which makes me so happy, so I chose this blue gingham dress. For my card, I began by stamping the background with the ODBD 'Gingham Background' stamp in light blue, then cutting out the panel with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies.  The image from the 'Birdhouse' set was stamped with Stazon Jet Black onto watercolor paper, cut out with the ODBD Custom Large Banners Dies, then colored with markers and water-coloring.  The 'Smile' sentiment is from the ODBD Custom Inspiration Words Dies. The bow was tied with a Bow Easy.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings,

Be Joyful!

Hi, everyone!  This week's Featured Stamper over at Splitcoast is Melody Schwartz aka lacyquilter....congrats, Melody!!!  Wow, what an IMMENSE gallery...over 2700 uploads!!  After cruising through every page of her gallery, I finally narrowed it down to this gorgeous card which helped me to create this birthday card for my niece.  The card base was stamped with the 'Gingham Background' with Brilliant Blue; the main panel was created with the Wrinkle Free Distress (some call it the 'Smoosh' technique) with Brilliant Blue, Tempting Turquoise, and Lavender Lace ink.  The 
image and scripture from 'Be Joyful' were stamped with Stazon Jet Black once the panel was dry and cut out with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies.  Sequins were added for a little bling.

Thanks for visiting today!

Blessings,

Woodland Serenity

Hi, everyone!  This week's Clean and Simple Challenge over at Splitcoast is to use wooden images, embossing folders, stencils, etc.  For my quick card, I chose to combine the 'Wood Background' and 'Seek Me' stamp set, along with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies.  The Wood Background was inked in Crumb Cake, spritzed with water, then stamped onto white cardstock.  The trees from 'Seek Me' were inked in Mossy Meadow and over-stamped onto the wood image. Three faux brads were punched out and added to the corner.

Thanks for visiting today!

Blessings,

Old Rugged Cross Autumn Collage

Hi, everyone!  This week's Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast is to find inspiration from Christmas Central.....I chose this gorgeous fall table cover with colorful leaves and red border.  'The Old Rugged Cross' background was stamped in black onto ivory cardstock; after tearing the edges, the panel was sponged with caramel and distressed with espresso brown.  The leaves from 'Autumn Blessings' were stamped over the hymn after lifting the colors with Alcohol Lift Ink from a Yupo panel which was inked with multiple alcohol inks.  Three of the 'ghosted' leaves were cut out with the ODBD Custom Fall Leaves and Acorn Dies.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings,

Day Five of Dare To Get Dirty Challenges

Hi, everyone!  Here is my next round of cards for the Dare To Get Dirty Challenges for Fan Club members over at Splitcoast Stampers.  I have two more days of challenges to complete.  All of the challenges have been super fun so far and can't wait to see what's next!

My first card today was created for the DTGD18justwritedesignsB challenge.  The ombre background began with colored pencils but not by straight coloring.  Using one shade at a time, purple, blue and green pencils were sharpened over a  piece of white cardstock, then blended into the paper with my finger.  Once the colors were blended, the 'Chalkboard Fan Background' stamp by ODBD was clear embossed over the panel and cut out with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies.  The butterfly and sentiment is from the 'Greatest Gift' Stamp/Die Duos set; the sentiment was cut out with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies (using the die-resizing technique to make it smaller than the original size.)

Next up is a card which was created for the DTGD18summerthyme64A challenge.  (Side bar: I am TOTALLY in love with this new SU color, Lemon Lime Twist!!!) Anyhoo....the stamps used are from a Stampin Up set, Dinoroar and the following ODBD Custom Dies were used: Clouds and Raindrops (stencil for clouds) and Double Stitched Squares Dies. The ground was sponged over a piece of scratch paper, then the grass stamp from Dinoroar was stamped. The image was fussy cut and popped up with foam tape.

My next card was created for the DTGD18jaybee challenge.  The background panel was created with the Faux Wood technique.....a Crumb Cake ink pad was swiped directly to the cardstock multiple times, then the panel was cut out with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies.  The silhouette from 'Howdy!' was stamped with Stazon Jet Black; a circle mask was temporarily adhered over the cowboy then magenta and coral inks were sponged over it.  The mask was removed and yellow ink was sponged in with a few magenta swipes through it.  The image panel was cut out with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Circles Dies.  Two black brads were added to match the matting.

My next card was created for the DTGD18stamperssandeeA challenge.  For starters, I chose to use the ODBD Blushing Rose Paper Collection for both rectangle panels which were cut with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies, along with a piece of Rose Romance cardstock (retired) out of my secret stash.  The quote from 'Quote Collection 3' was stamped onto a panel cut out with the ODBD Custom Pierced Ovals Dies, matted with a panel cut with the ODBD Custom Layered Lacey Ovals Dies.  The banner was cut out with the ODBD Pennant Swag Die; the letters from the Pennant Swag Alphabet were stamped one at a time, fussy cut, then sponged with light green.  Pearls were added to the swag and to the sentiment panel.  Ivory seam binding was added and a bow was tied with a Bow Easy.

Next up is a fun card which was created for the DTGD18ravengirl challenge.  I have used this 'Unfrogettable' stamp set more than any Stampin Up set I own....I'm still in love with it after ten years!!  The first step was using the Lily Pad wheel to stamp on a long panel.  The ODBD Custom Pierced Square Die was strategically placed over the lily pads before cutting. The water was sponged using masking and the clouds were sponged over a template cut with the ODBD Custom Clouds and Raindrops Dies.  The froggie was colored with a sponge then fussy cut and popped up with foam tape. The sentiment was cut apart and popped up with foam tape. Of course googlie eyes had to be added as a finishing touch!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Blessings,

Speedy Recovery

Hi, everyone! This week's Color Challenge over at Splitcoast helped me to create a get well card for my niece who had surgery today to repair a torn ACL....ouch! The sentiment is from 'Get Well Wishes', the card base was stamped with the Gingham Background stamp and the aster was cut out with the ODBD Custom Asters and Leaves Dies set. Since I didn't have matching embellishments, two strips of poppy cardstock were added at the top of the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed weekend!

The Highest Mountain

Hi, everyone!  It's another fun Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast this week. Instead of adding layers for the two vertical strips, I used a craft knife and cut the strips from the card base and tucked the other layers underneath. The image from 'Keep Climbing' was stamped in kraft on a panel cut with the ODBD Custom Squares Dies, matted in black with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Squares Dies.  The quote is from the 'Mountains' coordinating set.  The background panel, cut out with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies was stamped in kraft with the 'Birch Background' stamp.  Before adhering the square panel, some holes were paper pierced in the corners and linen thread was stitched through with a needle to coordinate with the linen thread tied through the eyelets.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

On Angels Wings

Hi, everyone!  This week's Color Challenge at Splitcoast is so soft and beautiful, so I have used it to make a sympathy card.  The background image from 'Belles Vignes' was embossed in white on white cardstock, then pink, lavender, and light blue inks were sponged (embossing resist technique).  The angel wings image from 'Holy Angels' was inked in light blue then edged with a lavender marker before stamping onto white cardstock (the thumping technique).  The wings were fussy cut and popped up with foam tape on each side of a layered flower cut out with the ODBD Custom Bitty Blossoms Dies set.  The sentiment from 'Carried To Heaven' was stamped in lavender to match the sponging and the panel was cut out with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies.  The only embellishments added were baby blue pearls.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Blessings,

A Mighty Warrior

Hi, everyone!  This week's Friday Free4All Challenge over at Splitcoast is to make a Father's Day card or a masculine card.  Since my three Father's Day cards are finished, I created a birthday card for my brother-in-law who is a chaplain for the Indiana National Guard.  His favorite color is green, so I combined Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake for his card.  The soldier and scripture are from the ODBD set, 'Not Forgotten'; the backgrounds were stamped with the 'Rope Background' stamp; the little cross was stamped with a retired 'Stamped By Me' stamp, the Wood Fish Mini (which has three crosses...I cut one of the smaller crosses out to fit on the tiny banner.) The banners were all cut with the ODBD Custom Large Banners Dies set; the scripture panel was cut down using the die-resizing technique to make it a perfect fit for the verse. The tiny stars are from the ODBD Custom Sparkling Stars Dies set. I will also be submitting this to the 'Boys of Summer' challenge over at the CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a blessed weekend!

Happy Retirement!

Hi, everyone!  This week's Featured Stamper is Amy Marshall aka Kalla Walla.....congrats, Amy!  I am a huge fan of Amy's work and have featured her several times in the past few years for ODBD Customer Card of the Day.  I am super excited that she was chosen for this honor!  After cruising every page of her gallery, I chose this fun card to case today.  I loved the tropical theme, twine, and the message written in the sand, so I incorporated those elements in this retirement card for my Step-Dad who will be retiring this month after being at the same job for 47 years!  The image and sentiment are from the 'Happy Retirement' set and the background panel was stamped with the 'Rope Background'.  The scene was colored with sponges/ink and markers.  The following ODBD Custom Dies were used: Pierced Squares (resized), Pierced Rectangles, and Circles Dies (reverse mask for sponging the sun).  Metal brads and linen thread were added as finishing touches.  I will also be submitting this to the Fan Club Central Theme since I used a die technique (there is no tutorial on SCS yet, but I used the die-resizing technique to separate the sentiment from the image panel using the same square die.)

Here is a matching gift card holder I made with the following ODBD Custom Dies: Gift Card Holder, A Gift For You, Sparkling Stars, and on the inside: Pierced Rectangles Dies and a sentiment from 'Today and Everyday'.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings,

Birds of Paradise

Hi, everyone!  This is my second card for today's Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast.....for this card I chose this delish photo.....I love the yellow and green color combo, plus the pattern, green trim and blue handle on the cup reeled me in!  For my card, I stamped the ODBD 'Chalkboard Fan Background' in yellow, cut out the panel with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies, then cut out the aperature with the ODBD Custom Ovals Dies.  The white panel was sponged using a piece of scratch paper for the water and the clouds were sponged over a template cut with the ODBD Custom Clouds and Raindrops Dies.  The image and sentiment are from the 'Aloha' set.  Two of the flowers were stamped on the bottom panel and one was stamped then cut out with the ODBD Custom Bird of Paradise Die to pop up over the frame. Some baker's twine and green gems were added for embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Everything Beautiful

Hi, everyone!  This week's Featured Stamper over at Splitcoast is Beverly aka kraftyaunt.....congrats, Beverly!  I chose this gorgeous card because of the stunning colors, stitched dies and cool layout. For my card, I kept the green and yellow theme and layout, but chose to use the 'Chalkboard Vine Background' stamp instead of designer paper.  All of the panels were cut with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies, the scripture verse is from the 'Aloha' set, and the tropical flower was cut with the ODBD Custom Frangipani Dies set.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Mother's Day Blessings

Hi, everyone!  This week's Friday Free4All Challenge over at Splitcoast is to make a normal card for you, but with less layers....a more simple version.  I went very CAS with my Mother's Day cards this year, but I really like how they turned out.  The kraft card base was stamped in Versamark with the Pussy-Willow Background; the buds were painted with Pearl Glimmer Mist.  I cut three strips of white cardstock, sponged kraft and aqua ink over them, then created the borders by cutting them with the ODBD Custom Flower Lattice Die (since the die cuts' edges are a bit delicate, I sponged the colors before cutting so I wouldn't bend the edges.) The die was adhered to aqua cardstock then the edges were trimmed with paper snips. The sentiment is from 'Mother's Day'.  (All stamps and die are from Our Daily Bread designs.) Three brown pearls were added for a simple embellishment.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings,

Blackberry Anniversary

Hi, everyone!  This week's Featured Stamper is Beverly Sue Wilson...congrats, Beverly!!!  I chose this gorgeous anniversary card to recreate using the following items from Our Daily Bread designs: ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies, ODBD Custom Umbrellas Dies (tiny hearts), the 'Chalkboard Fan Background' stamp, and the 'Hugs and Kisses' stamp set. I love how this design was so quick and easy....I will use this layout again for sure!

Thanks for stopping by!

God bless!

Pooh Bear Name-frame Gift and Card

Hi, everyone!  Today I would like to share a card and name-frame created back in November for a new little bundle of joy in our family, our new niece, Molly!  In order to match Molly's nursery, since I do not own any Pooh stamps, for both the card and nameframe, I fussy cut the Pooh characters out of some scrapbook paper.  For the card, I started by cutting out the pink panel with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Rectangles Dies, then cut out the circles with the ODBD Custom Double Stitched Circles Dies.  The sentiment is from the 'Pennant Flag Verses' set; the sentiment and mat, along with the pennants at the top were cut out with the ODBD Custom Pennant Flags Dies and ODBD Custom Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies.  Peeking through the circle cut-outs is a panel which was stamped with the ODBD 'Gingham Background' stamp; the white mat at the bottom was cut out with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies set.  The tiny hearts are from the ODBD Custom Umbrellas Dies set.

For the frame, Pooh scrapbook paper was used for the background and the fun image.  The following items from Our Daily Bread designs were also used:  ODBD Custom Double Stitched Pennants Flags Dies, ODBD Custom Pennant Flags Dies, ODBD Custom Alphabet Dies, ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies, ODBD Custom Clouds and Raindrops Dies (sponged clouds), ODBD Custom Grass Hill Die, ODBD Custom Fence Die, ODBD 'Little Girls' stamp set (sentiment).

Here is a close up view:

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Inspired Faith Collage

Happy Saturday, everyone!  This week's Inspiration Challenge makes me want to go shopping for clothes, which I normally hate to do!  We are to choose an ensemble from Audrie's Conference Attire Pinterest Board for inspiration.....I fell in love with the colors and patterns in this photo.  Since I did not have an alphabet embossing folder, I clear embossed the 'Chalkboard Word Collage' background stamp on Lucky Limeade cardstock, then cut it out with the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies.  I didn't want to cover up the embossed background, so I cut out the ODBD Custom Faith Border Die for a sentiment.  The border strip was cut with the ODBD Custom Flower Lattice Die since it looked so much like the black lacy cuff in the inspiration photo. Some gold cording and gold metallic dots were added since there were touches of gold in the photo.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Golden Autumn Days

Happy Saturday, everyone!  This week's Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast is to find inspiration from the Village Hat Shop......I fell in love with the fall colors in this Flores Rancher's Hat.....if I were a hat person, I would buy this one!!!!  For my card, I have used the 'Seasons Change' set by Our Daily Bread designs along with the ODBD Custom Wheelbarrow Die to cut out the image.  The grass layer was cut out with both the ODBD Custom Grass Hill Die and the ODBD Custom Pierced Rectangles Dies set to shape the bottom.  Since this month's Fan Club theme is book related, I created a subtle script background with the Ecclesiastes scripture stamp from the 'Randi's Song' set, then stamped the 'Sunflower Mini' to coordinate with the wheelbarrow image.  Some black embroidery thread was added to mimic the band around the hat.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed weekend!!