Looking unto Jesus

Happy Wednesday!! It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. Our focus verse this week is Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. As we look at this verse, we first see the admonition "looking unto Jesus." When studying to this verse, I read some comments by  Charles H. Spurgeon, often called the "Prince of Preachers. Regarding "Looking unto Jesus" he explains, The Greek word for “looking” is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language. It has a preposition in it that turns the look away from everything else. You are to look from all else to Jesus. That really helped me see where our focus should be. 

Then I wondered what was meant by "the joy that was set before him." Mr. Spurgeon had this explanation, The joy that was set before Jesus was principally the joy of saving you and me. I know it was the joy of fulfilling His Father’s will, of sitting down on His Father’s throne, of being made perfect through suffering—but still I know that this is the grand, great motive of the Savior’s suffering: the joy of saving us. It was this joy that made Christ strong to endure in the day of His sorrow, and joy must make you also strong to endure unto the end. What an amazing love Jesus has for us that saving us brought Him that much joy! When we keep that in mind, it should be easier to look from all else and keep our eyes on Jesus!

Our sponsor this week is Pink & Main. I have a couple of their beautiful double-sided paper pads and wanted to showcase them in some cards. I have three to share with you today. My first card uses this week's free WORDart that is available on the Word Art Wednesday blog.

I wanted the Scripture to be the focal point so I used this Sweet Sunday Sketch. I kept the embellishments simple so that I wouldn't distract from the verse.

Supplies:
Sweet Sunday Sketch #236
Cardstock: Recollections (burgundy), Georgia Pacific (white), The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (card base), tan - unknown
Patterned Paper: Pink & Main (Take Flight 6 x 6 pad)
Stamp: WORDart by Karen (Hebrews 12:2)
Tools/Embellishments: My Favorite Things Die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge Die), Gina Marie Designs (enamel dots)

My 2nd card uses the same paper pad and one of my all-time favorite quilt dies. Quilt dies are a great way to use up those smaller pieces of patterned paper and really stretch your supplies. A banner stamp and sentiment were embossed on burgundy cardstock and then die cut. This was popped up over the quilt squares and this 4.25" square card is done.

Supplies
Cardstock: Recollection (burgundy and kraft)
Patterned Paper: Pink & Main (Take Flight 6 x 6 pad)
Stamp set: Paper Sweeties (Hello Friends clear stamp set)
Ink: Versamark
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp fine detail embossing powder (white), Paper Sweeties Sweet Cuts (Be Happy), Gina Marie Designs Quilt Die (9-Block)

I'm entering this card in this challenge:
Always Fun Challenge #103 - Use Kraft 
Dream Valley Craft Challenge #198 - Let's Get Krafty - Use Kraft card

 My last card features a wonderful loon die adhered over a Distress ink blended background.  The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped on top after the Distress inks were dry. Another Pink & Main paper pad provided the patterned paper for this masculine birthday card.

Some scraps of the same patterned paper and another stamped sentiment provide the interior decoration.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (card base), Recollections (kraft), Scraps from stash (orange and dark brown)
Patterned Paper: Pink & Main (Pumpkin Spice 6 x 6 pad)
Inks: Distress inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Stamps: My Sentiments Exactly Clear StampSet (Inspirational Birthday Innies and Outies)
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs (Lake Loon Die), The Paper Studio (burlap ribbon)

I hope you will visit Pink & Main and check out all their wonderful products. They have beautiful papers, stamps and dies. They also have a new monthly kit. It's packed full of beautiful papers, stamps and supplies. I also hope you'll be able to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the rest of the Design Team projects and pick up your free digi. 

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back soon.

Most Viewed Posts in 2018

I enjoy looking back to see which blog posts received the most views for the past year. This year I have to do a top eleven because the #9 spot had a 3-way tie. Thank you to all of you who have visited my blog this past year and an extra thank you to those who have left a comment of encouragement. You are a blessing to me. I hope you'll visit often in 2019. Happy New Year!!

Click each card title link to be taken to the blog post for card details & supply list.


# 9-11 Post for 2018 (3-way tie)

Love You So Much

Mighty Waves of the Sea

God Gives Wisdom

#8 Post for 2018

Following the Shepherd 

#7 Post for 2018

Sunflower Season 

#6 Post for 2018

Be Ye Strong 

#5 Post for 2018

Thanks a Latte! 

#4 Post for 2018

Because of His Lovingkindness 

#3 Post for 2018

Our Guide 

#2 Post for 2018

Paper Sweeties 6th Birthday Challenge 

#1 Post for 2018

Ye Shall Not Fear Them

  

Love You So Much

Better late than never right? Here is the card I made for Tim for Valentine's Day. It uses the Turtle Couple stamp set and dies that he picked out for me in 2016 (you can read about how he found this stamp set here). I used the heart die in the set to make the opening in the card front.  The turtles and heart were colored with Copics. I fussy cut the heart on its outline so that it would fit through the opening when attached to the inside with foam squares. The turtles were also popped up on the card front with foam squares. A sentiment from the Thinking of You Rose stamp set by Stamp Simply was added to a banner die cut to finish off the front.

A sentiment from the Turtle Couple stamp set was added below the heart on the interior. This was a fun and fairly quick card to make.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6 x 6 - retired)
Clear Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle Couple), Stamp Simply (Thinking of You Rose)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versamark, VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Dies: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle), Lawn Fawn (Everyday Sentiment Banners)
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Markers, Nuvo Jewel Drops (Clear), Simon Says Stamp embossing powder (clear), Gelly Roll gel pen (white), Wink of Stella (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy February Challenge - Love
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use patterned paper
Crop Stop February Challenge Linky #37 - Must use items/brands found in the Crop Stop store (I used Ranger, Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Bazzill, and Tsukineko)
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #341 - Any Holiday (I chose Valentine's Day)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Cutie Pie Challenge #120 - Valentine's or Mums
Color Inspiration Monthly Link Up 31 - Must be hand colored

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back tomorrow with a card for the new Word Art Wednesday Challenge. I hope you'll come back to visit again soon.

My Favorite Place

The Turtle Couple stamp set is one of my favorites from Dare 2B Artzy. In part, because my husband saw it first, liked it and told me that I really should get it. :) Who was I to argue? So, whenever I want to make a special card for him, I frequently turn to this set. I hadn't made him a card in a while, he's been working extra hard, and I figured he could use some encouragement. I colored the turtle with Copics and then fussy cut her out. (I own the coordinating dies but didn't want the white edge this time). I did a little inlay die-cutting at add the heart shape to the card front. The sentiment was heat embossed directly onto the heart die cut. I decided to add something a little special and made a circle card instead of the normal rectangle or square. Nuvo Crystal Drops add some dimension and shine to some of the design on the turtle's shell and to her toenails. A white gel pen adds faux stitching and some accents to the turtle. A small rhinestone accents the flower on the turtle.Sequins topped with rhinestones finish off the card front.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Playing with Color 2 - Fall Patterned Cardstock
Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle Couple)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: YR04, 07, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24; Y17; YG95, 97; N5; E07, 09, 40, 42, 43; B23
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Grand Circle dies, Gina Marie Designs (Double Stitched In and Out Cut Heart Die Set, Rainbow Crystal Rhinestones), The Paper Studio Sequins, Simon Says Stamp fine detail embossing powder (clear), Gelly Roll gel pen (white), Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Ranger Multi Medium Matte

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy Challenge - Ship Shape (make a shaped card)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
My Creative Scoop Color Inspiration Challenge #26 - Must include something hand colored
Make My Monday Challenge #55 - Autumn Colors
Crop Stop Linky Party #32 - Must use items/brands found in the Crop Stop Store (I used Tsukineko, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, Fiskars, and Ranger)
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #176 - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope your week is off to a good start.

Gate-Fold Owl Card

I found the the Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die set on clearance at a local store but didn't buy it because my craft fund was depleted (I do *try* to be good). My husband insisted I tell him where it was in the store and went back to purchase it for me. I love his support of my obsession hobby. Of course, I figured it was only fair that he get the first card made with the die. I watched a couple YouTube videos to see how others had used it (specifically Jen Long and Christina Thomas) and combined some of their ideas to make this card. However, for the patterned paper owls, I lay the full-size owl on a single layer of patterned paper and then used the fold marks as lines for cutting the owls in half. This way I didn't have to get myself confused on which way the owl needed to be for the two sides.

I've had the sentiment stamp for awhile and had been waiting for the perfect card to use it for my husband. I used distress inks for shading the wings, head pieces, eyelashes and insert. The finished card fits in a normal A2 sized envelope.

Note: The card base die leaves a space in the back that is covered by the owl insert. When I make it again, I may back light colored inserts with a base colored owl to help disguise it this space.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (brown), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Oxford 6 x 6 - retired)
Stamp Set: Riley & Company
Ink: Taylored Expressions (Chocolate Truffle), Distressed Inks (Gathered Twigs, frayed Burlap)
Dies: Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Outlawz Paper A la Mode Challenge - Use a favorite technique (distressing with inks)
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
Mod Squad Challenge - Special Fold Card (mine is a gate-fold)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I hope you'll come back again soon.

Together is My Favorite Place to Be

 
A couple weeks ago, my husband and I were able to get away for a rare day trip to Columbus. We wanted to visit several of our favorite thrift stores and...because I needed some OSU specific papers for a customer order, we planned to visit my favorite scrapbook store. After picking out the papers, he was looking around the store while I was looking through the $0.25/sheet paper box. He saw a display card with these turtles and decided that I really needed to buy the stamp set and the dies too. :) He definitely spoils me. Of course, the first card I made with the set is for my hubby!

The images were so much fun to color. There is one turtle in the die set. So for one turtle you can stamp and die cut and the other you die cut and stamp. I'm still working on both skills. Ha! I heat embossed the sentiments on black cardstock. I cut one into a fishtail banner and used the stamped and colored heart to anchor it. I used the heart die from the set to cut out both the colored heart and the embossed sentiment heart. A small Lawn Fawn heart die cut was colored with copics and added as an accent. Glossy Accents was added to the eyes of both turtles, the girl turtle's toenails, the stamped and colored heart and the small Lawn Fawn heart. I think this adds fun texture and some shine.

The turtles were popped up over the card using fun foam. Another border die cut was used to divide the two papers. The finished card is 5.5" square.

I was able to use another sentiment from the set on the interior of the card. I thought it was especially appropriate since we enjoyed such a nice day away. One of the neat features of the dies, is this one die set coordinates with at least 2 other stamp sets. What a great cost-saving feature!!  This 4 x 6 set has 6  sentiments and 3 images.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mod Squad Challenge - Feature a Creature
ABC Challenge - C is for Cute
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #241 - Spring Colors
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Use Dies or Punches
Crop Stop Linky Party #13 - Anything Goes (Must use something available in the Crop Stop store - I used Memento and Versamark Inks)

Thanks for stopping by today. The products I used to make this card are listed below. Affiliate links are used where possible. The black pen I used for my doodling and the MFT Wavy Edge die are both retired. I've linked similar products that you could use instead below.

Dare2B Artzy Turtle Couple	Dare2B Artzy Turtle Die	Authentique 6 x 6 CLASSIQUE BEAUTY Paper Pad BEA016	Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
Recollections Black Cardstock	Stamper's Select White Cardstock	Clear 4mm Square Rhinestone Sticker Sheet | Hobby Lobby | 607911	Copic Sketch MARKER G14 APPLE GREEN
Copic Sketch MARKER G17 FOREST GREEN	Copic Sketch MARKER G21 LIME GREEN	Copic Sketch Marker YR16 APRICOT Orange Peach Nectarine Tangerine	Copic Sketch Marker BG10 COOL SHADOW
Copic Sketch Marker BG11 MOON WHITE	Copic Sketch Marker BG13 MINT GREEN	Copic Sketch Marker BG15 AQUA Blue	Copic Sketch Marker RV02 SUGARED ALMOND PINK Light Bright
Copic Sketch Marker RV04 SHOCK PINK Bright Bold	Copic Sketch Marker RV66 RASPBERRY Red Violet Pink	Copic Sketch Marker BV000 IRIDESCENT MAUVE	Copic Sketch Marker BV00 MAUVE SHADOW
Copic Sketch Marker BV01 VIOLA Violet	Copic Sketch MARKER BV02 PRUNE	Copic Sketch Marker BV04 BLUEBERRY Blue berry	Copic Sketch Marker BV11 SOFT VIOLET
Copic Sketch Marker BV13 HYDRANGEA BLUE	Copic Sketch MARKER R27 CADMIUM RED Ladybug	Copic Sketch Marker R81 ROSE PINK Pastel	Copic Sketch Marker R83 ROSE MIST Violet Pink
Copic Sketch Marker R85 ROSE RED Medium Pink	Copic Sketch Marker Y13 LEMON YELLOW	Copic Sketch MARKER Y15 CADMIUM YELLOW	Copic Sketch Marker Y17 GOLDEN YELLOW Bright Bold
Copic Sketch Marker Y19 NAPOLI YELLOW Bright Bold Hot	Copic Sketch Marker B02 ROBIN'S EGG BLUE	Copic Sketch MARKER B05 PROCESS BLUE	Copic Sketch Marker B21 BABY BLUE
Copic Sketch MARKER b23 PHTHALO BLUE	Copic Sketch MARKER B26 COBALT BLUE	Copic Sketch MARKER B32 PALE BLUE	Copic Sketch MARKER B34 MANGANESE BLUE
Copic Sketch MARKER b39 PRUSSIAN BLUE	Copic Sketch Marker YG0000 LILY WHITE	Copic Sketch Marker YG00 MIMOSA YELLOW Light Subtle Pastel	Copic Sketch Marker YG03 YELLOW GREEN
Copic Sketch Marker YG05 SALAD Green Bright Bold	Copic Sketch Marker YG23 NEW LEAF Green Light Subtle	Copic Sketch Marker YG25 CELADON GREEN Medium Bold	Black 5mm Thick EVA Foam Sheet | Hobby Lobby | 330415
Tsukineko VersaFine ONYX BLACK Ink Pad VF-82	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad	VersaMark Ink Pad	Stampendous DETAIL WHITE Fine Opaque Embossing Powder DP100
Creative Memories Square Maker Punch	Lawn Fawn HEARTS Lawn Cuts Dies	Ranger Glossy Accents	Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG)
Cuttlebug Machine	*03441 Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches	*Martha Stewart SCORING BOARD Score Craft Tool 42-05002	*Ranger PAPER CREASER BONE FOLDER Fold Cardstock & Cards Easily BON10029
Dahle Self-Healing Cutting 18x12 Mat 10671

InLinkz.com