God is Faithful...

Hello!

Happy Sunday!

Today begins a new challenge over at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges that will run for the next few weeks!
For this challenge we are asking for projects featuring relationships...friendships, weddings, or anniversaries with the inspiration coming from the book of Hosea and the concept of steadfast love.
God is faithful even when we aren't...isn't that so amazing!  He continues to love us even though we reject Him daily or don't take time to prioritize our relationship with Him.  He extends us grace...so different than the world we live in.  How do we tend to react when friendships disappoint us, when people constantly let us down...
In these times, God has given us a beautiful example to follow.  God is always waiting for us, pursuing us to draw closer to Him and does not hold a grudge.  His love is steadfast and something we can count on in a world that often leaves us out in the cold.
I wish I could say that this is an area I have conquered in my life.  Too many times I am not gracious to those I have felt wronged by...too many times I beat myself up for not spending as much time in the Word and working on my relationship with God as I should be and this leads me become filled with guilt.  In the devotional Jeanne wrote this week for the blog (you can read it here), she points out that we are to pattern our lives after the teachings and example of our Saviour and we need to extend the same faithfulness that God shows us to those around us.  Not easily done without the help of our Lord.

Now, would you like to see the friendship card I created for this biweekly challenge?
I did something a little different than my usual style...

Let's take a look..

I used the smooshing technique to create the coloring on the background for the card.  If you're unfamiliar with the technique, there are many many YouTube videos for you to check out if you just type in "smooshing technique".  I've also used a water brush to flick a few droplets onto the background as well.  The floral image has been stamped onto water color paper using a permanent black ink.  This is an image from the Classic Petunia Collection by Heartfelt Creations.  I've stamped and paper pieced the gorgeous lady illustration created by Unity Stamps and paired it with a birthday sentiment...after all, we all love celebrating our friends!

I hope you've found yourself encouraged and inspired here today!
I also hope you take time to join us in our latest challenge!

Until next time...

This card has been submitted to the following challenges...

Brown Sugar Challenges...Use Sequins

Dragons Lair Designs Challenge...Anything Goes with Fashion Action

Just Add Ink...Choose Two - Flowers and Water Color

A Child Reaches for Your Hand and Touches Your Heart

Welcome!

I hope things are good in your neck of the woods, and life is treating you well!

I'm so glad you took time out of your day to stop by for a visit!

Today begins a new challenge over at The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog.

This week we are asking you to incorporate

"Polka Dots & Ribbons"

The two just go so well together don't they?

Our challenge this week is sponsored by

Be sure to check out the challenge blog for the prize being offered.  

I fell in love with the image that we were given to work with and knew when I saw it that I would be breaking out the scissors, fussy cutting and paper piecing.  

Here's how it all came together...

*this card is available for purchase in my Etsy store

I chose to go with polka dots on the little girls outfit as well as the background paper.  I added a doily to make the card feel soft and feminine.  The sentiment comes from a printed 12x12 vellum baby sheet, and has been backed with the same polka dotted paper.  I added just a small ribbon on the corner of the sentiment to finish off the card.  Wouldn't this just be great for a baby shower or arrival of a new little one!

I hope that you've been inspired to join us over at The Cafe this week.

For more awesome inspiration, be sure to check out the other DT creations.

Until next time...

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

Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes"

Oldie But a Goodie..."Baby"  (doily & vellum sentiment are more than 6 months old)

Card Mania..."Babies"

Craft-Dee BowZ..."Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow"

Crafting From the Heart..."Anything Goes"

The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog..."Cute Girls"

A Gem of a Challenge..."For a Child or Baby"

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog..."Paper Piecing"

Let's Make a Mess!

It's been a little quiet around here lately!  I've been busy in the craft room, but have had little time to post lately!  Thanks for sticking by me and coming for a visit today!

Today marks the beginning of a new monthly challenge over at the Unstampabelles.  Our challenge is "Dare to Get Dirty"...and our twist was to document the mess along the way with pictures.

We have a wonderful sponsor for this challenge...

http://www.stickerstore.com.au/

Be sure to check out the Unstampabelles blog for the prize being awarded!

I will confess that I struggled with this one and wasn't sure which direction to go in.  It had been on my mind that my son needed Valentine's for his class party, and the store was not stocking anything that I felt was worthy of giving.  So, to get some inspiration I read over the "Ideas for Creations" which you can find on the tabs on the Unstampabelles challenge blog.  Well, the word "box" just jumped out at me.  I had a cutting file for my Silhouette from My Scrap Chick that I had been wanting to use which was a box treat card all in one! Now cutting with that machine can sure get messy with all the tiny pieces, and all the pieces need to be inked, glued, etc...but my version of "dirty" may be a little cleaner than others...I hope this works for you! 

Let me walk you through this "messy/dirty" process with a few pics...

As you can see, it all starts out in little pieces in a somewhat organized mess...

The next step is to ink each piece individually...my fingers never stay clean in this process...

...and neither does my Splat Mat...

...and the glue...what can I say about this glue other than I despise it!  This glue is so sticky, my fingers are a complete mess by the time I'm done.  As you can see the glue bottle itself is is a complete mess...just from me handling it with the crazy stuff on my fingers.  And, it's almost impossible to wash off your hands when you're done...it sorta rubs off a while later.  But, I bought it...so I must use it!  LOL

We're getting closer to the finished creation...the shape is taking place...





Just let me get my fingers unstuck...I'll add some features and the remaining parts to this little guy....and...

 ...here's the finished project!

I'm happy to report our son loved this and is excited to be handing these one of a kind Valentine cards out in school at his party!  I guess I better get working because I have 16 more to make!

So, dig out those inks, paints, whatever you think you can make a creative mess with and get creating.  Don't forget to link up with us at the Unstampabelles so we can see your mess.  Remember our only rules are that your project needs to be a paper craft and you are not allowed to use any stamps on your creation.  Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds!

Until next time...

This creation has been shared in the following challenges...
Ladybug Crafts..."Be Mine"
Seemacrafts..."Valentine/Love"
A Gem of A Challenge..."All You Need is Love"
My Sheri Crafts..."Valentine - Use a Heart"
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenges..."Show Some Love"
Delightful Challenges..."Anything but a Card...Love Theme"
Decorate to Celebrate..."Valentine Treat Bag"
Little Red Wagon..."Child's Play"
Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog..."Valentine Cards"