Breezy Asian Love – NEW BLOG LOOK -LSC225/CC223

We’ve had another busy week and I haven’t had a chance to spend much time in my craft room.  My hubby is the coach of my great-nephew’s All-Star baseball team and they have played every night.  I’ve also been working on some church projects- what can I say? – I LOVE being retired!!!  And, as you might have noticed, I have changed the look on my blog and would love to know what you think of it.  I am still fine tuning and would love your suggestions.

I’ve decided that SU!’s Parisian Breeze DSP is my all time favorite and it is being retired, so I have stocked up for the future and used a little slice of it on today’s challenge card.  It’s a two-fer, sort of.  Today’s Limited Supply Challenge was to use stamps with a different language in our design to give our cards an International Flair.  Also, I thought Tuesday’s Color Challenge sounded interesting – Breezy Ruby Whispers- so I thought I would combine the challenges.  My sweet DIL Jennifer is from Shanghai and I was glad to get to use a sentiment from an old SU! set called Kanji, along with the pretty retired set Brocade Basics.  I heat embossed the brocade image with a new to me embossing powder from American Craft’s Zing collection which is very close to the Ruby Red color.  I was so lucky to win an American Craft’s package in a Stampin’ Out Alzheimer’s drawing that included a set of embossing powders and two marvelous stamp sets.  It is just too cool to support such a worthy cause and get free stuff too!

 

Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend!

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:

Stamps:  SU! Brocade Basics, Kanji

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink:  Basic Black

Embellishments:  Baja Breeze ribbon

Accessories:  American Crafts Zing Red Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat tool, Dimensionals

Joy and Happiness Anniversary – CAS19

It’s a quiet and rainy Monday here in Jackson and I am spending the day in my craft room, or in the “bunker” as my hubby and son call it.  My space is a small two room area off the dining room with shelves and a L-shaped craft table.  It has a window and pretty good lighting.  We haven’t found out the original purpose of the previous owners, but it is absolutely perfect for my papercrafts.

I had a marvelous day last Friday.  Two great friends from church, Marie and Pamela, came over to learn how to make cards.  I came up with a few projects and we spent the day laughing, sharing and creating.  What a blessing to have such good friends!  They are certainly a gift from God.

So, back to Monday and the Clean and Simple SCS sketch challenge that you can see here. I pulled out one of my first Stampin’ Up sets and used the dryer sheet technique that my great friend and demo Lisa taught me last year and made this simple anniversary card for my nephew and his wife-Nathan and Amber.  It was so pretty and so easy I made four of them in just under an hour.  How’s that for simple?

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!  Our little 7-8 year old All Star baseball team play every night this week.  My sweet little great-nephew Anthony is on the team and my hubby is a coach- so I will be traveling to the ball park to help cheer them on.

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:

Stamps:  SU! Petal Prints, Small Script, Warm Words, American Crafts Large Sentiments

Paper:  More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Soft Sky, Whisper White

Ink:  More Mustard, Really Rust, Soft Sky, Always Artichoke

Embellishments:  Soft Sky ribbon, Always Artichoke ribbon

Accessories:  Used dryer sheet, Krylon Spray adhesive, Dimensionals

Family Memories- Send A Memory

What a wonderful challenge on the Stampin’ Out Alzheimer’s website this week sponsored by Clear and Simple Stamps.  I just purchased a 5X5 mini album yesterday and can’t wait to add some memories to give to my mother-in-law (age 89) who is suffering from this horrible condition. In the meantime, here is a single page with a little frame easel (how clever!) and an envelope made of coordinating paper.  I will be sending this to her this week and on the back I have listed our names.

This is my family- hubby, two sons and DIL. MIL only recognizes her son (my hubby) every now and then-and me occasionally, but isn’t sure of who we really are. Very sad, but we are grateful that she is physically healthy. She is with us right now and we enjoy every minute with her.

 

Blessings,

Diane

Technorati Tags: Alzheimer’s,SU,PTI,7 Gypsies,Cuttlebug

Supplies: Stamps: SU! Always; Paper: 7 Gypies DSP, PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Spring Moss, SU! Soft Sky; Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate; Accessories: Moss brads, Antique Brass hardware, PTI Spring Moss ribbon, SU! Top Note Die, Cuttlebug

In Everything…1 Thess. 5:18

I love this verse because we can be thankful in every situation- thankful for the love and care of our Savior and thankful for our friends and family.  This is a 4X6 card to fit in my Scripture box.  The sketch is for a challenge for Stampin’ Out Alzheimer’s – a May project spearheaded by Jen Tapler and Susanna Boyd that raised over $6K in the campaign – donations by stamper’s and scrapper’s all over the web world.  There were challenges and giveaways all month long for members.  I am so proud to have stumbled upon this wonderful event.  Here’s my Taylored Expressions sponsored sketch challenge card:

 

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps:  Happy Harmony; Paper: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, PIT White, Delicate Dots DSP; Ink:  Basic Black; Embellishments:  Certainly Celery ribbon, Pretties pearls; Tools:  Scallop circle punch, Scallop edge punch, Dimensionals

Alice, How Does Your Garden Grow? CPCM-NTYW04

If you haven’t visited Christian Paper Crafts Magazine yet, I encourage you to go straight to this site- right now!  Cindy Coutts and her team have put together an awesome site that allows Christian women to share their stories of faith and share their creative gifts.  You will be inspired by the Bible Studies and reflections in the community. 

The site is just beginning its 4th week so I’ve decided to try and catch up on the challenges so far.  The New To You Wednesday challenge for 5-6-09 was to use paper piecing in our creations.  I love “dressing” my stamp characters and this cute garden Hanna was just perfect.  So I made this card for my great Christian friend Alice’s birthday, an outdoor gal and she and hubby Steve are about the only folks I know that are true farmers.  It is such a treat to visit them and see the livestock, gardens, the lake with ducks and fish- so delightful!

This card is a case of a creation I saw Stampin’ with Di.  I didn’t use the cute apron fold, but did duplicate her design- just couldn’t improve on it!  Hope you like it.

 

Blessings,

 

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps:  Hanna Garden Clear; Paper:  SU Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, PTI White, SU Urban Garden DSP; Ink:  Basic Black, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Light Grey, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom;  Accessories:  Baja Breeze ribbon, SU and Prismacolor Markers, Dimensionals

Women to Women: Sharing Jesus

I have discovered the most wonderful blog created by Diane Noble, Women to Women: Sharing Jesus. I first noticed the badge on my great stampin’ friend Judy Roxema’s blog, Joy in a Jar.  Diane, along with several other Godly women, share personal and teaching devotionals for the Christian woman.  Please take a look- you will be blessed.

Judy and Deann Oliver aka The Little Inker have honored me with the "Exalting Christ Blog Award" and I humbly thank them for this honor.  I will proudly display it in a sidebar.

"The Exalting Christ Blog Award" is given to bloggers who consistently exalt the name of Christ on their blogs. What a joy to see crafters blend their passion for Christ and paper crafting. This award is given to bloggers who share Christ through their posts or through the design of their artwork. We are commanded in Scripture to be ’salt and light’ sharing the Good News of Jesus no matter where we are (Matthew 5:13-16). This award is just a way members of Women to Women: Sharing Jesus can say thanks for exalting Christ with us!"  We are asked to "pass it on" to others who share our passion for Christ.

I am awarding this honor to some of my favorite folks in the stamping and blog worlds and fellow Divine Design Challenge stampers.

1.  Maria – Joyful Stamper

2.  Silke – My Life

3.  Lori – Make a Difference

4.  Leanne – Wee Inklings

5.  Jami – Stamp Happy with Sgt Stamper

Rules:
Post the blog award in a regular post on your blog with the explanation, including the original link to WTW and the rules for passing the award along
1. Name five people to whom you want to offer this award and link to their blogs. The blogs need to obviously exalt Christ in some manner.
2. Contact the bloggers you have named to let them know they can pick up their blog award from you.
3. Invite them to permanently display the WTW blog badge and/or the award on their blogs. The badge can be obtained on the WTW site."

Thank you again Judy and Diane!  I am looking forward to sharing the "Good News" with all who take the time to visit.

Blessings,

Diane

Raspberry Birthday Dress – SC229

 

Here’s a great sketch for the challenge on SCS today, plus the cutest dress template that I saw on Bensarmom’s blog, Trusting in the Lord for All Things.  She is so creative- take a look and you will be blessed. 

I’m in love with Raspberry Tart DSP from Stampin’ Up!  There’s a special this month- buy three packs of DSP and get one free.  If you don’t have a SU! demo, here’s the link to the best one in the business – Lisa Wright’s Stampin’ Up site. 

I’ve got to get dinner started- so here’s my birthday card for my niece Tina using this spiffy paper.  Enjoy!

 

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps: Phrase Collection – Inque; Paper:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White; Ink:  Basic Black; Accessories:  MS Doily Punch, Paper Studio Pearls, PTI Berry Sorbet Ribbon, Nesties Scallop Circle Die, Dimensionals

Father’s Day 2009 – WT217 Kool Kraft

Technorati Tags: SU,Father’s Day,Great Impressions,Parisian Breeze

I can’t believe it has been so long since I’ve posted!  We’ve been out of town a lot visiting family and such and just been busy, busy, busy.  I have been making cards and was excited to see that the Ways to Use It challenge today on SCS was to use one of my favorites- Kraft cardstock.  Kraft is the perfect accent for so many occasion cards that we sometimes forget to use.  So, since I am working on Father’s Day cards, (I know you are envious that I am working so far ahead!), I decided to use my new Great Impressions stamp with my new beautiful Designer Series Paper Parisian Breeze Specialty and one of my favorite sketches and some kool kraft paper and cross this one off my list!  And I’ve got to admit that I just love the results!  I used five different paper patterns and colored, clear embossed and cut out this cute image and popped it up as the focal point.  I hope you like it too.

 

 

 

There’s more coming this week- I promise to stay in touch better than I have recently.  I miss all of you!

Blessings,

 

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps: Great Impressions Old Pick-Up Truck; Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Kraft, PTI White, Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper; Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Aqua Painter, Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, VersaMarker, Crop-A-Dile, Eyelets, MS Classic Butterfly punch, Computer generated sentiment, Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

Happy Easter Flower Pot – TLC215, BVC09

Look at this cute little flower pot card!  Today’s Technique Lovers Challenge included a tutorial by Stephanie Luman for this card sketch and I had so much fun “picking my bouquet” for my design.  I admit I worked on it all day and enjoyed building the pot to fit a standard A2 envelope.  Visit the SCS gallery and check out all the cute “pots.”  I’ve included a pic of the finished card and the insert.

The sentiments are two of the Plain Jane singles from Verve Stamps.  They are only $3 each and give a super crisp clean image.  Love the Martha Stewart butterfly punch and all my bug die cut flowers.

This is the most important week in the life of a Christian – when eternal life was secured for all who believe, through the ultimate sacrifice by the Lamb of God.  I pray that you are rejoicing in this wonderful gift.

Blessings to you and your family this Holy week,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps:  Verve Plain Jane Rejoice and Happy Easter; Paper: Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, PTI White, Almost Amethyst, Pink Pirouette; Ink: PTI True Black; Accessories:  Cuttlebug diecuts and Embossing folders, MS Classic Butterfly Punch and Doily Lace punches, Flower Soft, Pink satin ribbon from Wal-Mart, Bitty pearls, Dimensionals.

 

 

Butterfly Birthday – LSC213

Well, we’re back from our mini vacation and glad to be home.  We have been visiting our sons in Nashville and Atlanta and had a great time.  It rained everyday in Atlanta so we had to limit our sight-seeing, but did get to visit The Carter Center- President Carter’s Library and Museum and enjoyed it very much.  We hope to be able to visit all the Presidential Libraries in the next couple of years.  We went to President Reagan’s Library in Simi Valley, CA last year and hope to get to the Clinton Library in Little Rock in a month or so.  It’s pretty thrilling to see how these remarkable men lived.

When I checked the SCS challenges I missed, I knew I had to catch up on a few.  I am starting with the Limited Supplies because we were to use Black and White only on our card, and as you know, these are my favorites.  And, I did get to a LSS in Atlanta and was able to find a set I have been wanting- Inkadinkado’s Patterned Bugs and thought the butterflies in flight image would be perfect for my card.  It is similar to the birds in flight image from the Birds Galore set which I also love.

It’s a real simple card, but I had a little trouble stamping the image because I don’t have a big acrylic block.  So I took a CD case apart and used the clear top and it turned out pretty good.  I also used a couple of new MS punches I picked up at Wal-Mart in Atlanta.  Hope you like it!

 

I hope your week is off to a good start.  I am so excited because my friend Leisa discovered that Michelle Zindorf is coming to Tennessee and was able to secure spots in the beginner and advanced brayer classes for our stampin’ Gang of Four: Leisa, Cleo, Lisa and moi!  We are counting down the days to July 10…….can’t wait.

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps: Inkadinkado Patterned Bugs, SU! Birthday Whimsy; Paper: PTI White, SU! Basic Black, PTI Bitty Dots Basics True Black DSP; Ink: PTI True Black; Accessories: Martha Stewart Doily Lace and Classic Butterfly punches, SU! Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals.

 

Simple Pleasures – CAS07

I certainly hope all of you had a wonderful weekend and are refreshed and ready to tackle the week.  We are getting ready for a short road trip beginning Wednesday.  We are going to Nashville to visit our oldest son and his wife for a couple of days, then driving to Atlanta to visit our youngest.  We plan to tour the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta and hope to go to the Atlanta Aquarium- I’ve heard it is awesome.  We are taking our sweet doggie, Shelby and she is excited about the trip too.

I am very excited about a new challenge on SCS.  The Clean and Simple challenges take us back to the basics- lots of clean space, limited tools and crisp and simple images.  These type cards have become my favorites- not because they are quick to make, but because they are so appealing to the eye.  Today is my first CAS card and the challenge was to create a card using punches.  This card took about 20 minutes from the first cut to tying the knot.

 

 

I used just a dab of PTI’s Spring Moss Bitty Dots DSP for the vase and stamped some of the branches in Regal Rose on the inside and on the envy.  Easy peasy card – perfect for a Monday.

Hope you enjoy many Blessings this week,

Diane

Supplies used:  Stamps:  Penny Black Simplicity, Saltbox Studio Fences (sentiment); Paper:  PTI White and Spring Moss, SU! Pink Pirouette, PTI Spring Moss Bitty Dots DSP; Ink:  PTI True Black, SU! Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Rose Brads, Scallop Edge Punch, PTI Spring Moss Satin Ribbon.

 

Spring Day Dreams – LSC212

Yesterday was the first day of Spring and the SCS Limited Supply Challenge was to make a spring card using the SU! Soft Subtle family of colors.  I was out of town yesterday so I didn’t get to play until today, but since I LOVE these colors I just had to take time to create today.  When we were in Memphis I got to visit my favorite LSS and spend a little birthday money.  And I just love this Penny Black image- I know it will be one of my favorites.  You may not be able to see it, but there’s a lot of glitter on the flowers and leaves.  I will be sending this to my mom for Mother’s Day.

It’s not as warm here today as it has been, but still very pleasant.  Spring is my favorite season and I hope that all of you are getting to enjoy pretty days- whereever you are!

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies used:  Stamps:  Penny Black Day-Dream; Paper:  PTI White, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette; Ink:  PTI True Black, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Oval Nesties, Yellow, Pink, Green glitter, Quickie glue pen, So Saffron ribbon, Dimensionals.

 

Boatloads of Friendship – CC210

It’s another very pretty day here and I am really enjoying the sunshine coming through the window in my craft room.  We are getting ready to go out of town for a couple of days to celebrate my 61st birthday.  I plan to eat “large” and maybe visit my favorite LSS in Memphis.  I must admit I can’t believe I am in my 60’s, but I thank God for every day that he has blessed me with.  I hope I have many more days to grow in His wisdom and grace.

Today’s SCS Color Challenge is very interesting:  Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun and Black (Optional).  They didn’t sound very appealing at first, but do make for a pretty combo.  My new to me  Boatloads of Love set called out for ink and I had fun putting this together.  Hope you like it!

 

I’m moving closer each day to 15,000 hits- so stay tuned for a Blog Candy announcement.  I’ve got some really cute goodies to send out.

 

Many Blessings,

Diane

 

Supplies used today:  Stamps:  Boatloads of Love; Paper:  Kraft, Basic Black, PTI White, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, SU! Patterns Pack DSP; Ink: PTI True Black, Real Red, Summer Sun; Accessories:  SU! Markers, Nesties, Scallop Circle Punch, Black and White gingham ribbon, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch.

Wedding Elegance – FS110

What a wonderful Sunday it has been!  We had a guest speaker at church this morning and he was absolutely awesome.  Jeff Helton from Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee spoke on “Afflictions” from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.  The message is on our church website and I encourage you to visit and listen.  Are you a Timothy?

I have worked on this card while watching Phil Mickelson at the Doral today.  The SCS Featured Stamper is Stacy Morgan, aka Twinshappy and her gallery is incredible.  I chose this card and used a different flourish image and changed the black to gold, plus changed the sentiment.  Her card is perfect in black and white and I love the clean, sharp and simple style.  The photo didn’t turn out real well- the gold embossing doesn’t show up very well, but IRL this is a very pretty card.

Thanks for dropping by and Blessings,

Diane

Supplies used:  Stamps:  Priceless, Warm Words; Paper:  PTI White, Wausau Royal Metallics; Ink:   PTI True Black; Accessories:  Versamark, Gold Ultra-Fine embossing powder, heat tool, sheer ribbon, dimensionals.

I Thank My God – BVC09-March – SC219 –Blog Candy coming

Can you believe March is almost over?  You really wouldn’t know it here in West Tennessee.  The first of the month we were celebrating the biggest snow in 40 years, then just a few days later we were enjoying 75 degree weather and wearing sandals!  We had freezing rain and sleet yesterday and today it is brrrrrrrrrrrrrr cold.  But, our pear trees and forsythia are still blooming, along with the jonquils, the birds are singing, so Spring must be just around the corner.

I used this week’s SCS Sketch Challenge for my March Bible Verse card and this wonderful verse from Philippians:

I’m getting close to 15,000 hits on my blog and appreciate so much all of you who take the time to visit and comment.  I am gathering up some goodies to give away to the faithful and will post a blog candy announcement soon.

Hope your week has been wonderful so far. 

Blessings,

Diane

I used my Crop-A-Dile for the first time and only ruined one eyelet before I got the hang of it!  Other supplies used:  Stamps: None; Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Basic Grey Periphery; Ink: None;  Accessories:  Computer generated sentiment, Old Olive GG ribbon, Silver eyelets, Crop-A-Dile, Cuttlebug EF, Cutterpede Scallop edger, Dimensionals.

 

You Rock!!! My First ATC – WT208

Greetings to all!  I was so excited to see the Ways to Use It challenge on SCS today which is to make an Artist Trading Card or ATC.  ATC’s are 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inches and are perfect for little tags, cards or for trading your work with other crafters.  Here’s my first effort and I am now addicted!  You can make 10 card bases from one sheet of cardstock and form a little production line on your table and in no time your project is done.  Check this link for the cutting instructions.

My great friend Lisa loaned me this cute little set – thanks Lisa! Isn’t that puppy precious?

Hope your week has been fun. 

Many Blessings,

Diane 

Supplies:  Stamps:  Inkadinkado Wag My Tail, MFT Essential Sentiments; Paper:  PTI White, Real Red, Basic Black, Imaginence DP; Ink: Basic Black; Accessories: Red/White gingham ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Circle punch, Word Window punch, Dimensionals

Pink Chocolate Kiwi – CC208

Don’t ya love the title of today’s Color Combination Challenge?  I love Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss, but Pink Passion is a real challenge for me.  But all in all the combo and this cute sketch make for a pretty cool card.  The image is in a little shadowbox and popped up with dimensionals on this 4.25’ square card.  It was pretty easy except I had to watercolor the Kiwi Kiss since there is no coordinating marker and I just haven’t mastered that technique yet and probably never will.

Gotta be quick today- I need to complete my Bible Study lesson for tomorrow and they get harder every week.  We are studying Genesis and I am learning so much about the beginnings of mankind and the way God worked in the lives of our prophets.

Many blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, Sincere Salutations; Paper:  PTI Chocolate, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Confetti Cream; Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Pink Passion, Kiwi Kiss, Creamy Caramel, YoYo Yellow; Accessories:  SU! Markers, AquaPen, Chocolate satin ribbon, Brass brads, Scallop circle punch, Dimensionals.

Snow Day!!!

It’s a Snow Day here in Jackson, Tennessee!!  It began late afternoon on Saturday and continued throughout the night.  We probably have 8-9" on the ground which is like a blizzard down here in the South.  It is just beautiful!  One of God’s magnificent creations.  Here’s a photo from our front porch:

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Hope to get some stampin’ in today…and sure hope your Sunday is wonderful.

Blessings,

Diane

Best Friend – FS107 – SgtStamper

Good morning and praise God for the glorious sunshine here in West Tennessee.  Today’s Featured Stamper on SCS is Jami, aka SgtStamper, and you must take a look at her gallery here.  You will be amazed at the gorgeous creations.  I chose this card as my inspiration and changed a few things- paper, images and colors.   Jami’s card gives you such a warm and fuzzy feeling and I hope my friend will feel that way when she gets my card. 

Supplies:  Stamps:  MFT Friends Furever; Paper:  PTI White, Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Prints Pack DSP; Ink:  Stazon Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black; Accessories:  Navy Brads, SU! Twine, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, SU! Markers.

Have a wonderful day! 

Blessings, Diane

Welcome anna Fawcett – February 5, 2009

Sweet Anna Fawcett arrived February 5, 2009 and I can’t wait to get my hands on her.  Here she is at 1 week old and also the card I made to celebrate her arrival.  Congraulations Amy, Vance and Sara on this new blessing from God.

 

Supplies:  Stamps:  So Many Scallops; Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana;  PTI Whisper White; Ink: Pretty in Pink; Accessories:  Scallop Circle Nesties, Scallop Circle punch, Cuttlebug EF, Ticket Corner Punch, Versamark, Heat and Stick Powder, Ultra Fine Crystal Glitter, Pink satin ribbon, Angel Silver Charm, Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane