First Easel Card Ever!

Hi Everyone!  Glad you could stop by today!  I wanted to share my first Easel Card attempt...EVER! 
Now I usually shy away from cards that have the different folds in them because I become a real airhead and can never figure out how to fold them correctly the first time...and this time was no exception.  LOL  I had just asked hubby for help, and got it as he was sitting down to study the photo instructions! 

I attempted this creation because this is the challenge over at Twist of Faith this week...an easel or pop up card!  Our generous sponsor this week is...


and they are awarding our random prize winner with 5 digis of their choice!  What a great prize!   I was so excited to see this Hummingbird birthday card image in the digis we could choose from.  I absolutely love hummingbirds!  The photo of the finished creation has actually been taken in my hummingbird garden. 

Now, I decided to keep this card simple as I needed to work ahead before we left on vacation.  (As you are reading this post, I will be away camping on our last camping trip for the summer :(   I used the Cameo to print and cut out all of different pieces required for the card.  I water colored the image with my Tim Holtz distress markers.  The sentiment I printed out on my computer.  The flowers were also printed out with the Cameo, and then layered together.  I used some lumiere to give it a sublte glazed, shimmering effect and added some rhinestone jewels to the centres of the flowers to make them shine.    Here's a look at the finished product...


Here is a close up of the digi image...


And lastly the simple sentiment...


I am content with how it turned out for a first attempt!  I'm sure the next one will be easier!  I hope you'll take time to check out our challenge over at Twist of Faith...and give an easel card a try if you never have!  We'd love to see your creativity!  Be sure to check out the other DT's creations as well for some more inspiration!  Thanks for stopping by today...until next time!

Things Are Not Always As They Appear!

Welcome!  Are you ready for a little surprise?  Well hang on, and I'll give you one further on in the blog post!

Today I'd like to share a card with you I made for the current challenge at {The Lollipop Ladies}.  As you will recall, our challenges are created around inspirational pictures of sweets!  And, here is our current challenge photo...



That's right...it's that favorite childhood candy...Push Pops!  They are not totally what they appear to be...they are moveable!  And that is the twist on our challenge this week...create a card with movement!  Now since we've been away on a working vacation and will be heading out again on a week long camping trip by the time this post will appear, I decided to make a fairly simple card. 

I found this really cute Halloween image while I was shopping at Meljen's Designs the other day and thought it would be perfect to use up some of the Halloween paper I had sitting in my craftroom for several years.  The kiddos had bought me a Holiday Paper Pack for Christmas awhile back and the Halloween paper had been seeing virtually no use.   

Here's a peek at the front of my card...


The image has been colored with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  The rest of the card has been created with the Halloween paper from my very old stash!  LOL
I've added some black colored bling (purchased at my local Dollarama) and cut some swirl die cuts with my Big Shot.  The smaller pumkin and the pumkin on the image have had Stickles added to the yellowish insides of their mouths, eyes and noses to give them a "glowing" effect.  Now keep in mind that things are not always as they appear (an ordinary card)...

And now onto the movement part!  When you open the card....

POP!

I warned you that things are not always as they appear!  Did I surprise you?
I decided to go with a card that when you open it the sentiment moves outward and pops out at you!  It was very simple as I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the card base and pop up attachment!
My kids were really excited and surprised when they opened the card!  The "Boo" sentiment was also a purchase from Meljens Designs.  The "Happy Halloween" came from the old stash of papers!   

So I'm hoping you feel inspired by this and decide to join us at {The Lollipop Ladies} for our current challenge.  We've had virtually no entries, and I'm not sure if people find this challenge daunting...or are all out vacationing like me!  LOL  Guest Design spots are available for winners and there's a $10 voucher up for grabs from Annabelle's Stamps!  So get creative and get moving on those movement cards...and don't forget to link them up on the side bar at {The Lollipop Ladies}!

Until next time...

This card has been entered in the following challenges...
 

A Shabby Chic Wedding

Hello Again!  So glad you could stop and visit for a little while.  Today I'd like to share with you the card I created for our challenge over at Crafty Creations..."Shabby Chic"!  I know this will be a favorite!  Our generous sponsor for this week is...

SPONSORED+BY+LOTV

and I have just the cutest little wedding couple image to play with!

I thought they would look perfect on a cute little easel card (I made my first one a few days ago...and will showcase that one shortly...so stay tuned to see how that went!  LOL)  I  printed and cut the card on my Silhouette Cameo. I painted the silver colored card stock with a coat of lumiere to give it a regal and shimmering effect! Once that had dried I was good to go with assembling the card and beginning with the embellishing!  (I must admit, Shabby Chic for me can sometimes be a bit of a stretch when creating because I automatically want to turn it into a vintage theme...hope you feel I did okay!)

Here's my interpretation of this challenge...


(I had a bit of trouble trying to figure out how to photograph this creation, so my apologies for the poor photos.)

Here's a peek at the lovely couple...they have been colored with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers.


And lastly, the charming sentiment....which is from a Stamp 'n Up collection.


As far as embellies go on this card...I have to say that Walmart and Dollarama were my best friends when it came to picking up ribbon, flowers, rhinestone swirls, lace, tulle and those awesome butterflies!  The pearls around the sentiment are from Stamp 'n Up!

I'm hoping that any bride and groom would be wowed should this be presented to them...my husband certainly thought it was quite the creation, and wondered how much I would sell it for at a craft sale!  LOL

That's all for me today...short and sweet!  Be sure to check out the rest of the DT's creations at Crafty Creations Challenges to become even more inspired!  Then be sure to link up your Shabby Chic creation as well!

Until next time...

This card has been entered in the following challenges...
Creative Craft Challenges..."Anything but Square"
Just Inspirational Challenges..."Photo Inspiration"
Cutie Pie Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Love to Create..."Fancy Folds"
Creative Creations Challenges...."Bingo" (lace, sentiment, ribbon)
Little Blue Button Stampers..."Bling"
Silhouette Challenges..."Shaped Card"

Showcasing God's Creation...Animals

"And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.  So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, and every winged bird according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good!"
Genesis 1:20, 21

Now sit and think about those verses for a moment...now think of all the different animals, bugs, birds, etc we have on this earth!  I look at nature and am amazed by all the different animals that God has created.  He is definitely a creative God with a tremendous imagination...and a sense of humor!  Flamingos with extra long legs, monkeys that swing from tree to tree, hummingbirds that make noise as they flutter...you get the drift!  I'm always dumbfounded that people can look at nature and think that this all came along by accident and that God does not exist! 

Now we do a lot of camping as a family...and that often takes us away from church on a Sunday.  But we like to say that we attend "nature church" that day.  I know for myself I feel so close to God when we are out and about in his beautiful outdoors.  Here are a few photos we were able to take on one of our most recent camping trips...amazing!





I'm sure you're wondering if I will ever get to the point of this post...and yes...here it comes.  At Twist of Faith Card Challenges this week we are looking for cards that spotlight "Animals".  What an awesome challenge that lets you select any favorite creature of your choice!  Our fantastic sponsor this week is none other than...


who has graciously agreed to award our random prize winner with 4 uncolored digis of their choice!  Take a peek around the Meljen Design Store...this won't be an easy choice should you be the lucky winner!  They have just the most adorable images!

Here's the little creation I came up with using their image "Piggy Bath"


(I apologize for the blade of grass that is hanging over the side of the card...I wanted an outdoor photo in the dirt and a bit of grass and didn't notice it until I was ready to post this!)
I have to admit I was drawn to this image because it reminded me of one of my favorite books as a child..."Charlottes Web"...remember Wilbur? 

I kept this card fairly simple as I think the image itself should be the main focus because it's just so adorable!  I thought it would work well as a gate card, so that's what I went with.  (My kids just thought it was the sweetest image...and both loved the card!)

Here's a better peek at the little piggy...


And a closer peek at the sentiment I used...


The background papers come from the Recollections Tattered and Worn Collection (diamond pattern) as well as "A Perfect Summer" by Echo Park (wood grain).  The image and matting circles have both been cut with my Spellbinders Nestabilities using my BigShot. 
I've also added a pink bow to the piggy's ear to dress her up a bit!
The sentiment is a phrase from a Stamp 'n Up set...and I just think it sends a really great message.  As I get older I think I understand it more and more...we're all God's children, He has created us all unique and He has created us to be who we are!  Often we try to change ourselves, or be someone we're not.  That's so much more work than just being who we are.  I know this makes us more vulnerable, letting people see that we are flawed, not perfect and have problems just the same...that our personality might be a little quirky, or our opinions differ than others...but that's how God created us. I want to encourage you today with the promise that we are all "fearfully and wonderfully made".  God loves us just as we are!

I hope I've inspired you to take a look around your part of the world and see the beauty in nature that God has blessed us with.  Then find an animal image that inspires you to get creative and link it up with us at Twist of Faith Card Challenges.  We just love seeing your creations!  And don't forget to check out the other DT projects that have been created for your inspiration!
See you again soon!

This card has been entered in the following challenges...
The Crazy Challenge..."Animals"
C is for Challenge..."Animals"
Craftin Desert Divas..."Anything Goes"
Cutie Pie Challenge..."Anything Goes"
Love to Create Challenge Blog..."Fancy Folds"
Really Reasonable Ribbon..."Pink, Brown & Ribbon"
Meljen's Designs..."You've Been Framed"
Can You Digi It..."Lift Me Up"
Creative Card Crew..."Down on the Farm"
Twisted Tuesday..."Pink and Outdoors"
Crafty Sentiments..."Colorful"
The Paper Girls..."Color Inspiration"
Word Art Wednesdays..."Anything Goes"
Pinspirational Challenges...Photo Inspiration Challenge 71

Update:  This card has placed in the following challenges...

 MD-challenge-winner-badge

Celebrating Women

I can't believe it's Tuesday again!  Time just seems to be flying by!  So glad you could stop in today...take a load off,  relax a moment and let me tell you about our new challenge this week over at Twist of Faith Card Challenges. 

This week we are Celebrating Women, and our challenge twist is Proverbs 31.  This is a passage in the Bible that often makes me think that I am falling short in my duties as a wife and mother.  It's not that I don't do all of these things...it's just that I don't always do them with a happy or joyful heart.  I used to dream of doing something "big and noteworthy" for God...until one day during a ladies Bible Study, it dawned on me that I am.  My home is my mission field, and raising our children to follow Him really is one of the most important jobs I can do!  The cooking, cleaning, laundry, chauffeuring, etc. all of a sudden seemed to have a bigger purpose.  I won't say that I never feel like I have the daily drudges, and that everyday at home is a super happy one...but I have realized that the work God has given me for this season of my life is just as important as being out on the mission field, running an orphanage, etc.  I find that when people ask me what I do for a living I often answer "I'm JUST a stay at home mom"...more and more people have started to correct me and say that I must never say "just"....because it is an important job!  And in my heart I know it really is...it's just having given up being a "career" woman I did find that my identity & self worth was partially linked to my job and I needed to adjust to being at home. I think as women we often cut ourselves short and never feel like we do enough, or do something well enough.  That's where God steps in and tells us that we are made perfect in Him.  I know I often struggle with hearing His soft voice among all of the others screaming that I don't measure up! 

 But enough rambling and on with the challenge explanation.  Our super sponsor this week is none other than...


and I had another great image to work with!
Our prize winner will receive 1 image as showcased by our design team this week!
Just remember that your creation must include a scripture verse, uplifting or encouraging sentiment!

Here's my creation celebrating women!



I wanted this card to be feminine and light.  I hope you feel I accomplished the look.  I used a white piece of card stock and sent it through my BigShot in a swirling pattern embossing folder.  I then distressed the edges to give it a vintage type feel.  I cut the water colored image with one of my Spellbinders dies, and mounted it onto a doily and a silver oval accent I cut with the same Spellbinders die set. 

Here's a close up of the verse I used.  I simply typed it on my computer using Word and printed it out.  I then matted it onto a piece of silver card stock.  Then the bow making began.  I used some sheer white ribbon I had in my stash from Stamp'n Up as well as some silver cord.  I adhered it to the back of the sentiment using tacky tape.  I then added some adhesive pearls (Stamp'n Up as well) to the front of the sentiment.  I popped the sentiment onto the card using pop up dots and added some flowers for the finishing touch.


Here's a look from the side...


Well that's all for me today.  I hope you take time to celebrate women with us over at Twist of Faith this week.  Maybe you have a stay at home mom who lives next door, attends your church, etc. and you can brighten her day by celebrating her and gifting her with a card!  I know she would appreciate it!  Or maybe you know a working career mom who is trying to balance both work and family...celebrate her today too..because that too is not any easy path and speaking from experience with that as well, I know that she too will appreciate your thoughtfulness.  So, pick a lady in your life that you feel is worth celebrating, and make her a special card...and explain to her that you just want to "celebrate" her and what she means to you!  Then, don't forget to link up your creation with us at Twist of Faith Card Challenges!  We'd love seeing your creation, and reading about who you celebrated and why!  Don't forget to pop by the other DT blogs as well for some inspiration...and don't forget to leave some blog love.  After all, everyone could use an encouraging word today!

This card has been entered in the following challenges...

Tuesday Throwdown..."Pastel Rainbow"
There She Goes..."Color Challenge"
Love To Create Challenge Blog..."Color Challenge"
One Stop Craft Challenge..."Pastel Colors"
The Emerald Faeries..."Color Challenge"
Lia Stampz..."Color Challenge"
Crafting By Design..."Celebrate Women"

Update:  This card has placed in the following challenges...




Awards & Wins

 I made the Top 3! Challenge Button

When You Wish Upon a Star

Does my post title have you singing in your head, or even humming out loud?  Do you remember the song and where it comes from?  I do believe it was Jiminy Cricket who sang it!  I can tell you what I remember about this song...I remember being a small child sitting in front of the TV on a Sunday night waiting for the "Wonderful World of Disney" to begin.  Remember the music...the fireworks behind the castle...and of course Tinkerbell swooping down and shaking her fairy dust everywhere?  By now you are probably wondering where I am going with all of this.  Well, this all ties in with our current challenge over at {The Lollipop Ladies}.  We want to see creations featuring stars with the twist of sparkle!  Now the whole concept over at our blog is to put forth challenges inspired by pictures of sweets...how fantastic and unique is that?  And here's the image for the current challenge...


Since I had this song stuck in my head and was humming it for several days, I decided to use it for my inspiration.  After all don't stars, fairies and sparkle all go together?  I should say so!  LOL
I got busy working with my Silhouette Cameo and cut out an A2 card with a beautiful swirling frame which just screamed to have sparkles put on it!  I covered the frame with Martha Stewart sparkles in "White Gold".  I cut a piece of metallic light blue card stock from the Recollections collection from Michaels and adhered it to the back of the frame in the centre opening.  I cut the words using part of a phrase which I also purchased on the Silhouette Online Store.  Lastly I print and cut two fairies and some stars on the Cameo as well.  The fairies have been adhered to the card using 3D pop up dots so it gives the appearance that they are flying.  I've also added some Glitter Ritz to their wings to give them some sparkle as well.  Lastly, I  added some rhinestone swirls and some single rhinestones to amp up the bling factor.  My 10 year old daughter loved the finished creation, so I felt I had created something somewhat magical!  LOL

And finally, here's a picture of the magical creation (with way more sparkle and bling than I'm used to using!  LOL)




Well, I hope I have done more today than just get you humming a charming little song in your head!  I hope that I have inspired you to create a star + sparkle creation and link it up with us over at {The Lollipop Ladies}.  You still have a few days left! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll visit again soon! 

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for visiting!