Scripture Lessons and Lyrics #4 - Good Morning!

Good morning, my friends!

As you know, I am using my Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kits for this series of challenges. When I saw the song Patter chose for Challenge #4 I was hoping my March kit would arrive in time. It's like this kit was put together just for this song! :o)

The song "Good Morning" by Mandisa was brand new to me but it has definitely become a fast favorite! We should all have it set as our "wake-up" song every day!

Last week it seemed many of my friends were having really bad days. We all have them at some point, right? Sometimes our bad days are due to life circumstances, or the behavior of people in our  lives, or just our attitude to either one of those things! What a joy it is to wake up each morning with the HOPE of a new day, and the blessings ahead! So put those bad days behind you...they're over...and look ahead with JOYFUL anticipation of what is to come! :o)

Here is my title page. Doesn't it just shout HAPPY DAY!?

The sun is shining bright and clear, helped by the sparkling sequins. I added some stamping across the bottom that says "you fill my day with sunshine".

I love this Scripture verse from Isaiah 43..."do not dwell on the past." 

The bad day is over and we can start fresh!

These papers are so fun. I used a cloud shaped die for my Scripture spot. 

Pink clouds are NOT gloomy, right?

Then I added a strip of "hello sunshine" paper across the bottom.

Since I'm working on a 2-pocket page, I ran out of room for the song. So I created an extra tabbed page that will slip behind the title page. The yellow holds the chorus of the song, and the white holds the first verse. When I read the line "I hear the birds singing" I knew I had to use this paper with the sweet birds on the line! I forgot to add Mandisa's name to this page before I took the photo but it's there now. 

Here is how the completed pocket page looks:

Materials Used:

Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit

Punches: EK Success - Arrow Border Punch,

Fiskars Corner Punch, McGill - File Tab Punch;

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Six.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Scripture Lessons and Lyrics #4 - Good Morning!

Simon Says Stamp - March Card Kit Gallery

Word Art Wednesday #122 - Anything Goes

* * * * *

Here's the wonderful song!

Please listen to it! It's sure to brighten your day! :o)

Scripture Lessons and Lyrics #3 - Always

Happy Monday to you all, my friends!

I hope you've enjoyed a wonderful weekend and are excited to see what this week brings!

I've had this page finished for a while but forgot to post it. The song for Challenge #3 is another contemporary one entitled "Always". It's a song full of encouragement! We all have to face difficult struggles in our lives...with health, relationships, job situations...so many things! However, God will ALWAYS be there for us. He is a constant refuge and source of strength throughout the chaos of life! What a joyous comfort that is for each of us! :o)

I have used a new pocket format for today's page...this one has two pockets. As in all my pages for this challenge, I am using supplies from my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. The "Always" stamp was from a previous SSS kit. If you look closely at the background, you can see that I stamped flowers and leaves all over the gingham paper. I used a soft green ink so it wouldn't interfere with my writing. I wrote out the second verse and the chorus. 

Please read the beautiful lyrics:

The second pocket holds the Scripture verse that I chose for this challenge. The background is one of the coordinating papers from the kit. I wrote the verse, die-cut it and layered it on another cut. Using the paper from the previous pocket, I stamped and punched some flowers. A bit of ribbon and some pearls and it was finished. 

Oh, but then I saw that this great cut-apart was also in the kit. It was the perfect final addition, and I simply added it with my tiny attacher. 

Always remember this..."The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble!"

This is how the completed pocket page looks:

Materials Used:

Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit;

Additional Stamp: Simon Says Stamp - Always and Forever,

Stampin' Up - Language of Friendship;

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Fourteen;

Punches: EK Success - Paper Shaper - Venetian Corner,

Stampin' Up - XL Boho Blossoms;

Inks: Distress Ink - Black Soot, Martha Stewart - Stem Green;

Pearls: Jolee's - All That Bling.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Scripture Lesson and Lyrics - Challenge #3 - Always

Simon Says Stamp - February Card Kit Gallery

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #120 - Anything Goes

* * * * *

Here is a video of the beautiful song, along with all the lyrics:

Happy Easter Wishes!

Happy Easter weekend, my dear friends!
I know I'm running a little bit late with this post! I've had very busy days with company coming...and going...and more coming! Lots of fun happening but no time for the computer. I'll be by to visit all of you again as soon as things have settled down!
Easter is so meaningful to me. It's a time to remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf! In John 11:25-26, Jesus said:

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live,

even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."

This year, the verses found in John 17: 25-26 are speaking to me. This was Jesus' prayer:

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you,

and they know that you have sent me.

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known

in order that the love you have for me may be in them

 and that I myself may be in them."

The bunnies and chocolate are so much fun...but the real JOY is that we serve a risen Savior...He is alive!!

So,  I made this card in appreciation for each and every one of you, my dear friends! It is full of heartfelt wishes that you enjoy a very blessed Easter! :o)

This sweet image is from Kathryne at Stamp Art Design by Kathryne. It's called Happy Little Bunny!

The bling is from my stash.

All the other materials used are from the March Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Twist of Faith Card Challenge - #30 Make it Sparkle!

Simon Says Stamp - March 2013 Card Kit Gallery

A Die for a Sketch - Challenge #9 Reminder

Hello, my friends!
Today I have another card to share with you using a super sweet image from Stamp Art Design by Kathryne! I'm also here to remind you that you have a little more time to join in the fun this month at A Die for a Sketch. Challenge #9 runs until March 4th. You could win FIVE wonderful digis of your own from our generous sponsor:

Here is the fun sketch you need to use, along with at least one die:

Here is my card using the adorable "Little Bear Ready for Bed" image:

Materials Used:

Digi Image: Little Bear Ready for Bed - Stamp Art by Kathryne;

Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;

Dies: Spellbinders - Floral Doily Accents;

Punch: EK Success - Arrow Border Edger Punch;

Stamp: Just Rite - A Warm Hello;

Ink: Stampin' Up - Melon Mambo;

All Other Materials are from the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit

(Card Kit Info HERE)

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #68

Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit Gallery

* * * * *

I hope to see you join us over at A Die for a Sketch!

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #2 - It Is Well With My Soul

Happy Saturday to you all!
Can you believe this is my third post in three days? That never happens! If you've missed my last two posts, please scroll down and take a peek when you're finished here.

I'm back today with my next Hymn and Scripture Challenge page, and with this one I am all caught up!
This is one of my favorite hymns! It's one of those hymns that when I sing it I hear my Dad sing in my ear.  What a sweet blessing! My page was inspired by the first verse which says:

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul."

So, I was going to make my page with water and "sea billows" but when I looked at my Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit, I decided to use this beautiful cloud page. The colors and design of these materials really promote the feeling of peace that I was going for. The hearts represent the great love the Lord has for us. A love so great that He died on the cross just to save us:

"My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"

Again, this verse brings peace to mind. What a wonderful peace we have knowing that we have complete forgiveness of our all our sins. A special gift of peace that we carry with us, as we deal with all the hardships and pains of life in this world. A peace that comes only from knowing our Lord.

One thing that I truly love about this song when singing it in Church, is the way everyone sings the last verse! There is an incredible excitement and JOY as soon as we hit this verse:

"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul."

 What a day that will be! :o)

Materials Used:

Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit

(Kit info HERE)

Extra Materials:

WRMK Cloud Corner Chomper,

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Six,

Stampin' Up - Soft Suede Ink,

MM Tiny Alpha Stickers.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #2 - It Is Well With My Soul

(Patter's wonderful devotional is there too)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #66

Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit Gallery

* * * * *

Since I mentioned my Dad I really must share this unique Barbershop version.

He doesn't sing all of the verses, so I have included them below.

I hope you read them all and find some wonderful encouragement and peace!

It Is Well With My Soul

Horatio G. Spafford, 1873

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain: It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Sushi Dolls #3

Hello, dear friends!
I'm back again with another Sushi Doll Design Team project. I was going to spread these posts out a bit but I was inspired to make this one right away! Also, since Susi released some brand new digis today, I thought it would be a good time for you to go over and take a peek! The image I used on my card is actually from her first release back in October. You can find all the digis in one spot HERE.
This sweet girl that I used on my card is called Sushi Choco. I knew just what I was going to do with her after receiving my January Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. I also knew what kind of sentiment I wanted to use,  and wouldn't you know that Paulette, at Create With TLC, posted this free Word Art right after the inspiration hit me!
Something that's really fun about this image is the eyes. They're all big and open, so it was easy to paper piece them. There are so many different things you could do to fill in these big eyes. It worked perfectly for me...it's what I feel my eyes look like before my morning coffee! lol I used my Sew Easy to pierce the holes around the edge of the card, and when I was finished stitching I added another row of piercing. For the buttons, I used the Card Kit stamp on cardstock and layered them up. I had lots of fun making this card! I hope you enjoy it!

Materials Used:

Papers, embroidery floss, brads and button image

all came from the Simon Says Stamp January Card Kit

( Kit information HERE )

Other Materials Used:

Image: Sushi Dolls - Sushi Choco;

Word Art: Create With TLC;

Ink: Stampin' Up - Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray,

Memento Tuxedo Black;

Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Simon Says Stamp Blog - January Card Kit Gallery - HERE

* * * * *

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of JOY and LAUGHTER!! :o)

Sushi Dolls #2

Hello, sweet friends!
Before I get into sharing about the project I have for you today, I really need to thank you all for the super sweet comments you've been leaving me! I appreciate your love and encouragement so much! :o)
I also have a little note about my last post, and most recent Scripture Challenge page. I totally forgot to mention that the words to the song were typed out on a "new to me" vintage manual typewriter that I received from my soon-to-be SIL. It's fabulous! However, I'm so spoiled with my soft-touch laptop keyboard that I'm going to have to really work on building up some finger muscles before I can pound those keys properly! lol One note to those who actually did read the hymn words...I found out AFTER typing the first verse that the apostrophe didn't work. Then for the rest of the song I actually left a space so I could add the apostrophe by hand. Of course I forgot to do that before I took the photo! lol No, you don't need to go and inspect it now...I just needed to point that out to those of you who thought I didn't know how to spell! haha

Okay...on to today's project. I have a new card for you using another Sushi Doll digi! This one is called "Ryan and Susi" and it's one of the January New Releases. You can find it HERE, along with all the other sweet images. Isn't it cute? The digi comes with an empty heart so you can fill it with anything you want. I think that makes it a very versatile image. I've decorated it all up for Valentine's Day this time, and I've used a Simon Says Stamp sentiment. The flowers were just fussy cut out of one of the papers and layered up with a brad. When I showed this card to my husband, the sweet guy asked me if he could buy it FROM me to give TO me for Valentine's! lol What a romantic! Wait until he hears the price! ;o)
Take a peek at some of the cards the other girls from the Sushi Dolls Design Team have made. You'll find all of their links in my sidebar. Then head over to Sushi Dolls and pick some up for yourself. They're super fun to color! February's release is available on the 1st, so watch for some more projects coming up soon! Happy days to you all! :o)

Materials Used:

Papers: Jenni Bowlin - Classic Red/Black Paperpad, Recollection - Cardstock;

Image: Sushi Dolls - Ryan and Susi;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;

Stamp: Simon Says Stamp - January Card Kit;

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Fifteen;

Punch: Martha Stewart - Cherish Hearts Border; 

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black;

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo;

Ribbon: Celebrate It;

Brads: My Stash.

* * * * *

Just A Note Card

Hello, my friends!
I received my latest Simon Says Stamp Card Kit a few days ago, and today I was finally able to make something new for you to look at! Since it's a card kit...I made a card! :o)

I used the black card base along with the lovely papers from the kit. The  teal color isn't showing very well on my computer but it's a really pretty color. The heart was lots of fun to make! I used the musical heart image from the stamp set, stamped out five of them, and then fussy cut around them. I scored all five of them down the center and then adhered them to each other on the one side, leaving the last two opposite sides free. I hand cut the black heart for a base. After wrapping and tying the baker's twine around the center of the heart, I adhered all of it to the black base heart. Then I layered the heart on top of the teal papers and popped that layer up on the black card base. I added the sentiment on another teal die cut piece and popped that up too. After adding pearls from me stash, my card was complete! I hope you like it! :o)

Here's a close-up of the heart:

Materials Used:

Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit

(Card Kit Info - HERE)

Extras:

Ink: Stampin' Up - Pool Party;

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Fifteen,

Just Rite Custom Die;

Pearls: My Stash.

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit Gallery - HERE

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #54 - HERE

A Card - In Brown and White

Happy Friday to all of you, my friends!
I have another new card for you today. It's another one all in shades of brown and white! The sun was shining today, so the shades are very different than the last one! The image is a Whiff of Joy stamp that I won in my friend Katharina's blog giveaway a little while ago. I colored it up with my Prismacolour pencils and odorless mineral spirits. Other than the brown pearls, all the other materials for this card came from the October Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. The chevron circle in the center is actually a coaster that came in the kit. I ruffled the white ribbon around the edge of it, and then tied the last bit into a double bow. I fussy cut strips of a brown chevron paper and placed that around the outside edge of the card. It took a little bit of fiddling to miter the corners but I think it worked out very nicely. I punched the flowers out and layered them up. I also applied some stickles to them...oh, that was from a previous card kit. I stamped the sentiment and punched it out, and then finally I added all the brown pearls! There you have it! I hope you all have a fabulous day and a wonderful weekend! We've got some snow in the forecast for Sunday...wouldn't that be fun? :o)

Materials Used:

Stamp: Whiff of Joy - Oakley with Christmas Bauble;

Ink: Staz On - Timber Brown;

Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;

Pearls: Queen & Co. - Chocolate Delight;

Punches: Stampin' Up - XL Boho Blossoms, Modern Label;

Everything Else: October Simon Says Stamp Card Kit

(Card Kit Information - HERE)

* * * * *

Linking Up To:

Whiff of Joy Challenge #140 Brown and White - HERE

Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit - HERE

Happy Snowy Wednesday!

Hello, my friends! I must say I had the best time making this card! I think part of it is because I started in a rather giddy mood! We had our first snowfall today! Woohoo!! I love the first snowfall of the year! There's something extra fun about creating in a cozy craft-room while watching big white flakes falling from the sky! Of course, it's stopped now and there's nothing on the ground...but I suspect it will return one day soon! lol
On to my card...
I made this card using my Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit. I just opened the box and went where it led. My favorite paper is the whole kit is the old barn wood page that I used in the center of my card. It looks exactly like a table that I have outside on my patio. I would call it my favorite piece of furniture...but that would just be crazy!? ;o) It was rescued from the little old house that was on our yard before we built our house. I digress yet again...
I stamped the flowers and leaves onto a soft floral paper using ink from a previous kit. Then I fussy cut around all the pieces, including the skinny little stems. I cut the flower out twice and layered it with dimensionals. I cut the doily die out of another soft gingham paper from the kit. Since the wood piece was cut with a pinking shear type die, I used my pinking shears to cut out the sentiment, and popped that up on dimensionals as well. For the ruffle along the bottom, I just put down a piece of Score Tape and finger pleated the wrinkle ribbon from the kit along the tape, tucking in the ends. Then I created a double bow using my fingers. I once watched a Bow Easy demo on making a double bow and realized you can use your fingers in exactly the same way! ;o) Finally, I used my new favorite product! I added all the pearly bits with the White Opal Liquid Pearls that was included in the kit! I seriously had to stop myself from adding more! It's the first time I've used that product and I will definitely be using it MUCH more! LOVE it!
I hope you can see how much I enjoyed this one! There was something about opening this kit box today with no plan in mind and just playing! I like the contrast of the old wood and the delicate doily, then you add the soft floral, the sparkly pearl and my favorite kind of sentiment...it all adds up to a Happy Snowy Wednesday! I hope yours was happy too! :o)

Materials Used:

Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit

(Card Kit Information HERE)

Additional Supplies:

Ink: Memento Ink- Tuxedo Black

(from previous SSS Card Kit),

Dies: Spellbinders Shapeabilities - Pagemaps Potpourri,

Cheery Lynn Designs - English Tea Party,

Tool: WRMK Corner Chomper.

* * * * *

LINKING UP TO:

Simon Says Stamp - Used Dies and/or Punches - HERE

Simon Says Stamp - October Card Kit - HERE

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #49 - Be Ye Kind - HERE

A New Blog In Town!

Happy Monday, my friends!
Have you heard there's a new blog in town? It's called Twist of Faith Card Challenges and I'm very excited about it! It's a place to "share uplifting, healing, inspirational and scriptural card creations." Now, that kinda sounds like it's right up my alley, doesn't it?
So I've created this card to enter in their very first challenge. The theme is JOY...again, it's right up my alley! Challenge #1 - "This is the Day" and the inspirational verse they shared, and which I included on my card is:

"This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

There are only a few hours left in this challenge but there will be a new one posted soon. So head over to this great new blog and join in the fun! Twist of Faith Card Challenges will be a great place for creative encouragement! :o)

This card was created from the materials from my Simon Says Stamp September Card Kit, 

with the addition of some bling and some tools from my stash. 

You can find out all about the Card Kit Subscription right HERE

I will be adding this to the Simon Says Stamp blog - September Kit Creations - HERE

I'll also add this one to Word Art Wednesday Challenge #44 - HERE

Mini In A Box

Hello, my friends! Apparently I'm having attentions span issues! In my last post I mentioned all of the projects that I'm in the middle of. Then my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit shows up...and I dropped all my jobs to do some playing. The kit didn't even include any sparkly shiny things this time! lol
I came across this little wooden box during the reorganizing of my studio and was inspired to alter it using this great kit. My challenge to myself was to use ONLY the kit and a bare minimum of necessary items. I'll have them listed under the last photo. Now, an empty box must be filled so I had to create a little mini album to put in the box. The album measures 6" X 3" and there are 12 pages in it. I took just a couple of pictures of the inside pages to show you some of the stamping I've done. I'm thinking it would be a wonderful little "THANKFUL" journal...hence the title on the cover. After my fun with this project there is still SO MUCH more of my kit left to play with! You can find out all about the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit HERE.
So here's the box:

Here's the box and the mini album:

Here are a few inside pages:

Finally...here's the back of the box! 

Items Used:

Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit;

Wooden Box;

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Forest Moss;

Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Forest Moss;

Distrezz-it-All;

Bind-it-All;

1/2" O wire;

2 - 3" X 6" Mat Board for Covers.

Well, the list looks a little bit longer then I thought it would! lol I did include EVERYTHING though...which I usually don't. I think I did really good, don't you? I hope you enjoyed this interruption in my regular schedule! Now I have to get back to it! :o)

Linking Up to - Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit Creations - HERE 

"Delightful" Card

Hello, my friends!
I thought I better get something posted before you all forget about me! :o)
I didn't have anything in mind when I headed to my craft room. When I got there I saw my latest Simon Says Stamp Card Kit on my table. So I pulled that out and started playing. Most items were from the July Kit but a couple of items were from previous kits. The only thing that isn't from the Card Kit is the white embossing powder and the ink I used around the edges. I'm really enjoying getting these great kits every month. I also have to say that these new stamp sets by Simon Says Stamps are wonderful! The sentiment I used on this card is a particular favorite of mine. I may have mentioned it before but "delightful" is on that "Favorite Word List" of mine that I keep bringing up! ;o) For more information on joining the Kit Club go HERE.
I told my sweet husband that I thought of him when I made this card. He really is delightful! He didn't even point out that it's kinda girly! lol He has a birthday coming up this next week and I'm thinking he'll tell me that this should be his card...just so I don't have to make another one. I'll have to tell him it's okay, I can make another  one for him...now that I'm a cardmaker! haha Have a wonderful weekend! :o)

Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit;

Doily, Heart Brads - Previous Card Kits;

Embossing Powder: Stampendous Detail White;

Ink: Martha Stewart- Red, Pink.