Wednesday, February 28, 2018

"That Amazing Grace"

Hello to my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We've made it to the middle of the week and I hope all is well with you and all the other people that surrounds you.

It's Wednesday and I know I haven't been able to keep up with my schedule of posting my scripture/journal cards each Wednesday as promised.  However, I was determined to do it this week on time.  I thank God everyday for giving me this gift and allowing me to create and share with others.  Therefore, I try to show my love toward HIM by creating something that express the joy of studying HIS word and passing it on to others.  Not only do I Hide His Word In My Heart, but I also try to show it with the gift HE has given me.
We can't do a thing without God's Amazing Grace.

My first step in creating this card ... I used a white linen piece of cardstock from PaperandMore   and my Martha Stewart scoring board.  I scored diagonal lines across the entire piece.
Next, I took out my abandoned coral Distress Ink and lightly colored over the top of the cardstock.  I used NUVO Crystal Drops in gloss white on each of the connecting lines.
Using the Big Shot machine, I cut out the Lace Frame and Cross Flower die (Alina Craft)  using paper from Hunkydory (lace frame) and another piece (mauve) from PaperandMore. I also used a silver piece from my stash for the cross flower to be a shadow behind the mauve.
I wanted the words Amazing Grace to fit like a cross and Google had the exact image I was looking for.  Otherwise, I would have used my word processing file and created one myself.
Where the flowers are on the cross, I used three green Doodlebug Design chunky brads for the center of each flower.
Take a look at how all of this came together:
entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
We are in the Lent season and well on our way to Easter.  Do you know about that amazing grace ... a gift from God, and it is offered to everyone freely, even a “wretch like me,” as John Newton put it so well in the hymn “Amazing Grace?”

Thanks for viewing and thanks for your past comments.  Come again and enjoy your view.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

"I Just Want To Say HELLO"

Good Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
What a wonderful day we are going to experience.  Some of us are on the job, working away...just having fun.  Some of us are still in bed waiting for the night shift...just having fun.   Some of us are outside enjoying the sunlight and sipping coffee, tea or something else...just having fun.  Some of us are getting ready to get those flower gardens and vegetables garden ready for planting...just having fun.
I, on the other hand, just finished a card and had fun doing it.  Something in the "blue" range  (I think I over did the blue).  Anyway, I've been too "pinkish" and I decided to change colors today.
I had my soldiers in mind while creating this and tried to use items that would not cause a lot of bulk in the envelope:

This is also a submission to http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
and a donation to my box "Cards For Soldiers"

Enabler's List:
cardstock is Neenah white; PaperandMore navy blue and light blue; Hunkydory wood grain cardstock
Designer Paper is from Kaisercraft Kaleidoscope paper pad and the flowers were cut out from Recollections Secret Gardenia paper pad
dies that were used came from Penny Black irregular rectangles; Nellie Snellen tags; and Spellbinders Romantic Blooms Three
chipboard was from BoBunny foliage laser cut chipboard
The wooden word "hello" and the "envelope" came from Kaisercraft wooden Flourish Pack
Stormy sky distress ink was used on the "hello" and around the tag.
Offray lace ribbon and Michael's blue polka dot trim ribbon

Thanks for taking a little time to enjoy this view today.
Come again...I love knowing you were here.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 26, 2018

"Counting Down To Easter"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Welcome to Monday.  Hope you had a fun, filled, enjoyable weekend.  The R & R that was planned by me never materialized.  I'm still going to see if I can just sneak in some before today is over.
Today, I'm skipping the whole month of March and going straight ahead to April...Easter celebration.
Not in the tradition of baskets and bunnies, but in aspect to G.R.A.C.E. (God's Riches At Christ Expense).  If it had not been for  Christ (the lamb) being crucified on a cross, we wouldn't have faith to believe in eternal life with God.  It was God's Love in sending HIS Son...(John 3:16).

This is going to be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.
Enabler's List:
cardstock: PaperandMore light blue cardstock; black Recollections 
stencil: homemade...I had cut some Tim Holtz greenery out of some cardstock and I simply layered the cardstock over my paper and used Opaque Textured Paste over the opening.  I used mermaid lagoon distress ink around the paste after it dried.
chipboard die cut (tree) is from Southern Ridge Trading Company
The lamb stencil is from Recollections
sentiment words are from Art-C

So, before the Leprechaun, I went for the Lamb of God.  I hope you enjoyed the view.
Come again to see my creations and while you're here...leave a comment.  I always enjoy hearing from you.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, February 23, 2018

"Paper + Die = Card"

It's Friday, February 23, 2018.
The  last Friday in February my friends, followers, visitors and viewers. 
Are you doing the count down towards March?   If not, you should.  We have only five more days before you change your calendar.
This marks the beginning of the weekend.  Do you have plans?  I need some R & R and that's my plan.  Our daughter, son in love and my granddaughter came last weekend to see us.  Hopefully we will not have any guest showing up for dinner (lol).

Today, which is my busy day, I used a paper pad and a die to make a card.
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Kaisercraft  "Kaleidoscope"; black Recollections and Paper House "sliced"
die: Penny Black "border edger's"
ink: Distress Oxide black soot
foam tape and Art Glitter adhesive


entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
a gift for my "cards for soldiers" box

Be your own kind of beautiful.  There are too many bullies and haters out here that will put you down for the least little thing.  They may not like your hair style, the way you dress, the way you talk or walk, your expressions or your intelligence.  Be your own kind of beautiful...love yourself without being selfish.  Keep your head held high no matter what you are called or no matter how people treat you.  If you believe in yourself...then nothing no one else say or do will matter.  YOU MATTER AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!

Have an enjoyable weekend.  Do something fun and exciting and think about me while doing it.  Come back to visit next week and please, don't forget to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, February 22, 2018

"Using Altenew Persian Motifs Stamps"

Good Thursday, February 22, 2018 to all.
It's a beautiful morning in my part of the world.  The warm temps outside, the grass and the crocuses are speaking Spring even though the calendar is saying we have another month before it will be official.  Older people, when I was growing up, called this kind of weather "pneumonia weather".  Winter is not really over but you'll experiencing unusual warmer temperatures...  You start wearing sweaters instead of coats and no hats.  Basically, you let your guard down from protecting yourself from colds and flu.
I have a lot to get done today since we don't have to go out.  Before working on other projects,  I took out a stamp, Versa Mark stamp pad, white embossing powder, and  some colored pencils to do a focal image for a card.  I then layered some cardstock to form a 6 x 4.50 card including the focal image.  Thanks to Pri   https://meandmydailypapercraft.blogspot.com/2018/02/altenew-february-2018-inspiration.html for inspiring me with her beautiful card.

 I'm calling this "Hello" and will be adding it to the challenge over at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.

Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white and Recollections light tan
stamp: Altenew Persian Motifs
inks: Distress Ink ground expresso and Prismacolor Premier  pink and green pencils; Ranger Liquid Pearls petal pink
die: Sizzix Pondering Words
embellishments: Tim Holtz idea-ology adornments snowflakes; bead landing key; pink organza ribbon; American Crafts pink ribbon hemp cord

This is my bible journaling card for the week.  Since it will be my sister's birthday...I'll send it on to her.  She also loves to give out cards to people in her church.  It incorporates a gifted die cut from a swap and a bible journaling stamp set from American Crafts.  The cardstock is from a Recollections paper pad.

Take care and come visit again.  I love reading your comments so write something for me to read.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

"Heartfelt Botanic Orchid"

Good Wednesday to All.
It is the middle of the week and when you look at your calendar, next Wednesday will be the last day of February.  Marching on to March!  
What about those resolutions you made?  Are you still working on them or did you change focus because it is Lent season?  For the funny bone in me...you started out saying you were going to the gym more in 2018...as soon as Lent came in...you said I'm going to give up the gym for forty days...ha, ha, ha.   
I'm still on my "adventure".  Trying to find and do things without excessive baggage.  While I'm waiting for my DH at his PT sessions...I'm watching YouTube on my iPad and getting a lot of ideas.  I did share one with you on Monday.
Today, I'm sharing a card made with paper from Heartfelt Creation called "Botanic Orchid".  This company has those 12 x 12 pads and I still have a lot of cardstock to use.
I'm pairing the paper with a tag and a faux frame I made.  I also added floral stickers to the side along with a Martha Stewart butterfly.  The paper had a little window printed  on the cardstock.  I cut around it so it would be open.  For other embellishment, I added Ranger Liquid Pearls drops and an epoxy bead.
The  sentiment was cut from a Kaisercraft sheet of cardstock.
I will use this as an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.

Continue to keep us in your prayers.  We have about two more weeks of traveling back and forth to PT for my DH.  For everyone who has had some concern, he is much better.    He is back driving but his knee needs more workouts to get it  working at  99.9%  (He had knee replacement surgery).
My funny bone says...when you put something new on or in something old...it takes a while before you can see some results (a new knee in an old body. Lol)  Anyway, we are putting God first each day that we have to venture out.

Thanks for viewing and thank you so much for your concerns, prayers and comments.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 19, 2018

"Canon Glossy Cardstock and Distress Oxide Inks"

Hello followers, visitors, friends and viewers.
It's a rainy Monday where I live.  It's good weather for everyone who loves the rain and love getting wet.  I have to venture out but not because I love being in weather like this.  It's because of an appointment that I have to take care of.
How often do you watch a YouTube channel and then try to create from what you've learned or saw?  Many times I imagine.  Am I correct in saying that you do or am I the only one who will try something seen?
Well, I watched Tim Holtz demonstrating the new Distress Oxide inks on alcohol ink cardstock during the  Creativation  2018.  He stated that all glossy cardstock is not created equal and he did recommend using the alcohol ink cardstock.   Well, I didn't have alcohol ink cardstock, but I do have lots and lots of Canon glossy cardstock .  I pull out a piece to experiment with...you'll never know until you try something.  I have some Distress Oxide inks so I wanted to see if the glossy cardstock I was using would take on the Distress inks.  To my surprise, it did!  The next question was, would the ink stay on the paper without rubbing off...the answer is "yes"!
Okay, so now that I have inked the paper, what else can I do with it?  I placed some more ink onto the Ranger mat and spritzed it with water.  Next, I patted the inked glossy cardstock into the ink that was on the mat.  I placed this aside to do something else and when I returned to the cardstock a few minutes later (maybe ten), the ink spots had dried and it still didn't rub off.  I wanted to try just one more step...would it take on black Archival ink if I stamped an image on top of the Oxide...
I stamped two butterflies from a Recollection stamp set. Testing the ink...it smudged.  I took out the heat gun and used it on the butterflies.  It dried and there was no more smudging.
I used two cut out words to represent what my experiment was like...I lived through the experiment and I had to laugh at the end results...You never know how something will work out unless you give it a try.  I will be using this technique again in the future:
I'll add this to http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.

Thanks for reading and viewing with me today.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, February 15, 2018

"Untitle At The Present Time"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
I just finished a card to put in my box of cards for myself.  There are times when something happens and you need a card to send.  Therefore, there is no sentiment on this one at the present time.
It can be used for one of the following occasions: All Occasions; Birthday; Sympathy or maybe Mother's Day:
I hope you enjoy the view.
You can see that the background is colored with Distress Oxide inks.  I've used three different dies, one for the corner, one for the green flowers and one to make the umbrella (however, it was not an umbrella die...it was a corner die for a doily).
The flowers are from Recollections and the tulle is from a fabric store.

Thanks for viewing.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

"Life Is An ADVENTURE"

Hello everyone and happy Valentine's Day to you all!!
My post today is dedicated to you my lovely visitors, viewers, followers and friends to wish you a day filled with love and happiness!

You know life is an adventure.  Adventure is aboutgoing out of your comfort zone to open yourself up to the experiences and beauty that life gives you, no matter what path you choose to go on. I'm thankful that so many of you have been on this ride with me.  You've stopped along the way to have a "card selfie" with me or to share a LO (lay-out) of memories you want to preserve for the future generation.  Fifteen or twenty years ago you had no idea that you would cross paths with this "Lil Artsy Woman".  I didn't either...but we are together now, at least for today.  Many started on this adventure with me and left unexpectedly.  Whatever the reason for leaving...I'm still on this adventure because something I've made or something I've said has helped somebody. To you who keep coming back...thanks so much.  Here is the card I made for all of us today:

Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Recollections green;  Designer Paper from GCD Studios called Botanique
die: Spellbinders Romantic Vines
flowers: Recollections
ink: Vintage Photo Distress ink
embellishments: jewelry charm; NUVO copper penny drops; Offray white  lace ribbon
sentiment: Me & My Big Idea sticker sheet

Adventure is NOT...always about going away to some exotic destination, but about finding excitement in both the new and the old.  Adventure can be found in our everyday lives and how we are living it.  To me, this blog has been an adventure in itself.  It has its ups and its downs, but every day, I wake up realizing how lucky I am to be able to pursue this passion in my life and to have the opportunity to meet some marvelous people along the way.
At the end of the day, adventure is about seizing opportunities and taking on life with nothing but passion, enthusiasm and excitement.

Stay the course with me...we all will learn from one another.

Thanks for viewing today.  Please come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 12, 2018

"HELLO"

Good Monday to all.
Wishing you a day of fun, laughter, health and happiness.
I hope your weekend was fruitful and inspiring.  Did you get a chance to catch some or all of the Olympics games that played over the weekend?    Maybe you shopped for that Valentine gift....

I'm sharing a card made with Prima "Tales Of You & Me" paper.  Along with the paper I used a tag die and cut out the largest and a medium die from the set. Behind the tag, I place a doily. In my box of flowers, I took out the three pink roses , also from Prima, to use.  I had used a combination of  Distress inks in the green family on some Ranger water color paper.  I used this paper to cut two dies from Spellbinders Romantic Vines.
I added a K & Company border towards the bottom of the card. Lastly, I placed the bird and the word "hello" from a set of Recollections stickers and tied a piece of yarn through the hole in the medium tag along with a jewelry bead.
I usually would cut the 6 x 6 paper down to another size but today I let it stay  as it was.  I was gifted some envelopes for this size card and I need to use them up.
I will also enter this card at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.

I appreciate you coming over to view either here or on Google+.  Your continued support has been my pleasure.  Please come again.

Sending you a hug and love,
Lois

Friday, February 9, 2018

"Believe The Best"

Hello to you on this Friday, February 9, 2018.
The Olympics games are getting ready to start.  We shall be cheerleaders in front of our televisions cheering our team on to victory.  We believe they are the best and hope they can return with many medals...the gold would be fantastic but to place in any category would be nice.  I'm an American , so I have to cheer them on to victory.

My card share today consist of items already made (it's Friday and I use items on or near my desk).   I simply used adhesive to put them together.
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Kaisercraft Kaleidoscope and Rose Avenue Collection
gifts from KVRLVN (Kelly) white die cut at the bottom and chipboard piece
gift from Rolbricht (Ro) polka dot envelope
Recollections Fabric Flowers 
stickers: Eiffel tower and the "Love" tag
K & Company paper flower
Prima Brads
chipboard tag from graphic 45 "Olde Curiosity Shoppe"

Thanks for viewing.  Come back again and because I love hearing from you, please leave a comment.
Enjoy your day and have fun this weekend.

Sending you a hug and love,
Lois 

Thursday, February 8, 2018

"Die Cut Challenge"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It's Thursday and what a fast week I have experienced.  I really had to ask whether today was Thursday.  It went zoom, zoom, zoom, by me like a rocket going to space.  Imagine being as busy as I have been...you probably wouldn't be able to keep up with what day it is either (lol).
During January, I participated in a die cut swap.  We all had to have our cuts sent out by the 25th so individuals could begin working with them to create something.
I've used a few before but today I decided to use some of the cuts from the remaining donations.  What a challenge it was ( I didn't want to do thirteen different cards).  I tried to combine pieces from each of the individual packages to come up with something to post.
On this first card, I have used a die cut from five different participants:
I have been thinking about a sentiment... but as of this posting, I don't know what I want to use.  However, I'm still going to post this as an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
The pieces put together really tells a story.  
One night, the family cat went outside with the idea that this night he would break into the birdcage for his meal.  He did manage to get one of the birds for his dinner...hence the feathers at the corner of the cage.  To cover up the evidence, he wiped his paw on the light post before going back inside.

Here is the next card.  It actually was the first one for today until a bright idea came in my head to use a different die cut from each individual package.  On this card I used two die cuts from one individual:
I couldn't think of a sentiment for this one either.  Maybe in the future it could become a birthday card for someone.  It is too bulky to put in the box for the soldiers.  It would probably be hand delivered to someone.

Thanks so much for viewing and for your past comments.  It is so nice to hear from you and to know you enjoy something I have made.

Sending you a hug and love,
Lois

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

"You Are My Happiness"

Good Wednesday to all of you.
We are in the middle of the week heading for the weekend.  Just like it always does...it is coming whether you're ready or not.  Who is not ready for a weekend?  I don't know what is going to be exciting about this one coming up...not unless you get very, very interested in the Olympics.  The Super Bowl is over so we can now focus on the Olympics.

Do coming over to another day make you happy?   It should because whatever happened yesterday is all behind you and you don't have to see that day ever again.  Now, if yesterday created a problem for you that could be a thorn in your flesh...eating away at your happiness.
Does your spouse or your child/children make you happy?  Of course they do!  You love when they do something that makes you proud or when they treat you a certain way...making you happy.
But not just people... there are "things" that makes us happy, also.  For an example,  I love chocolate all during the year and not just on Valentine's Day.  Crafting of any kind makes me happy.

Here is the card I made.  It gave me pleasure to make it and then to share it with you.  "You Are My Happiness":

An entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

I've used design paper from Kaisercraft Rose Avenue Collection; Recollections green and Neenah white cardstock.
The top flowers are from Martha Stewart stickers.  The bird, birdcage and sentiment are from Kaisercraft Romantique Collection Die Cut Cardstock pieces.  The butterfly is a die cut from my Cricut Machine.

Thanks for viewing.  Please come again

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 5, 2018

"Do What Makes You Happy"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
What a super, super, happy bowl weekend we had.  The Eagles won if you missed the big game on yesterday.  I told you on Friday that by default I would be cheering this team on.  Surprise, surprise, surprise...these "underdogs" started strong and stayed strong to be the Super Bowl winners for 2018.
The halftime was okay but I didn't experience anything exciting.
I guess everyone just did what made them happy....which is my topic and card sentiment for today.
Often times, many of us follow the crowd and do what others are doing but afraid to speak up and say "hey, I don't want to do that".  We don't get pleasure out of it.
For an example, there are a lot of challenges going on in the crafting world that I don't participate in because they don't make me feel happy.  It may be something someone else has had pleasure  in  doing  and they want others to do what they are doing...it is not my "cup of tea".  I like certain things that gives me some form of happiness when I've participated in them.  Everything is not for everyone!
Here is my card share for today.  I hope you enjoy the view:
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white and Designer Paper from Recollections Mixed Media paper pad.
The frame and flower die cuts were gifted to me by Marylou and Robin from scrapbook.com
sentiment: Me & My Big ideas The Happy Planner stickers
embellishment: NUVO woodland green


Thanks for taking a little time out of your busy schedule to view with me today.  Please come again.  Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, February 2, 2018

"One Happy Conglomerate"

Hello!
It's Friday...weekend ready.
We have Groundhog Day today...I haven't checked to see the results.
We have Super Bowl Sunday...neither team is a favorite so by default I'm hoping the Eagles will win.  Don't get mad, I'm just picking one out of the two.  My favorite has always been the half-time show.  I'm looking forward to seeing that.
I will be very busy with today's activities away from home and at home...so let's get started with what I want to share...
I'm calling this a "conglomerate"...a number of different things or parts that are put or grouped together to form a whole but remain distinct entities:  One could say that I went wild with a lot of different things in my craft space.

This was fun for me and I really like the outcome.
Here I used Distress Oxides, stencils, stamp and a die on top of a piece of Ranger water color paper.

Have an enjoyable, happy weekend. 
Go Eagles, Go!!!

Thanks for viewing.  Please come again.

Love,
Lois



Thursday, February 1, 2018

"Crafter's Companion 3 D Embossing Folder"

Hello Everyone on this first day of February, 2018.
We made it over, didn't we? 
With so many things going on some of us thought we wouldn't see February.  
One of my school friends didn't get to see the beginning of this month.  He was granted his wings last Sunday and is no longer with us.  He will be missed by all who knew him.
Today, I'm using a 3D embossing folder for a three-in-one project:
  • For my Bible Journaling class, I made this card .  Our challenge this year is to send a card to someone.  This leads to my second purpose.
  • This card  will serve as a sympathy card for the sister (who was in my class) whose brother died last Sunday.  
  • The last purpose is to give a thank you for the heart and scallop die cut gifted to me by Donnalyn (Disney Donnalyn). 
Hope you enjoy the view:


Enabler's List:
cardstock: White linen from PaperandMore.com; pattern paper from Colorbok "Wild Rose" paper pad; Neenah white cardstock for card base
embossing folder: Crafter's Companion 3D Ornate Lace
ink: silver embossing powder
embellishment: NUVO gloss white crystal drops

I enjoyed creating with this embossing folder.   This was my first time using it and I'll have to experiment with ways to use it in the future.

Thanks for viewing.  Please come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois