My Dad, My Anchor

Hello there!  Yesterday I shared cards for dad, and today, yet another to share.

This was for personal use, as well, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

Papertrey Ink For The Boys 'Dad' die; Stampin' Up! Smooth Sailing anchor & rope dies, Sailing Home compass; twine

In one of my Stampin' Up! scrap bags were these Paper Pumpkin pouches, or envelope sleeves.  Best way I can describe it.  The striped paper you see above was part of the bunch.  I cut it apart so all that was left was a panel, and - it was already slanted like you see, and with rounded corners.  From there, I built my card on a black cardstock panel (glued to a white card base).  I like to let cards 'speak' to me.  Often I've got no plan in mind, things just evolve.

Thanks so much for joining me again!

Daddy Deer-est

For Father's Day this year, I created one of these for personal use, and one for the shop (for next year!).  I love that woodgrain patterned paper from Stampin' Up!  Looks really appropriate with the Paper Rose buck die.

Paper Rose Deer Family die; Verve Strong Anchor sentiment; EK Success Rock Fern punch; My Favorite Things Pierced Oval Stax die; Stampin' Up! patterned papers

With a change of sentiment, these will work for Christmas, too.  But for now, they're for dear old dad!

Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Wishing you a beautiful day, and thanks for your visit!

By Land and By Sea - Masculine Cards

Hello!  For my husband's birthday this year, I made him the first card you see here.  The sentiment cracks me up.  I'm actually two weeks older than he is, so of course, I am old, as well.  LOL

The mirror cardstock works so nicely with the Diamond Plate embossing folder and looks very automotive.

Unity Stamps Consider Yourself Vintage cars, sentiment stamps; mirror cardstock; Darice Diamond Plate embossing folder; My Favorite Things Slanted Sentiment Strips die

The next card was made for the shop.  The vintage sail ship stamp was in an assortment of maritime stamps I bought from an online yard sale kind of website.  I colored in a sun behind the boat, and I'm pretending it's a sunset, though I guess it could also be a sunrise?

Stampin' Up! High Seas 3D Embossing Folder; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags star tag and sentiment; linen twine; Dragonfly Laser Vintage Sail Ship rubber stamp

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Thanks for joining me today!  

Guesting with Inlovearts

Hello friends!  I have the pleasure of doing a guest post today, with a craft company called Inlovearts.  They asked me to try some of their products, and I chose some really cool dies from their collection.  I am excited to show you what I created with them!

The first card features Hollow Scissors Heart dies.  Love, love, love!  The fancy scissors and half-trimmed heart remind me of old-fashioned Valentine cards that feature handmade hearts and doilies.  I also think of that impressive paper crafting technique of scherenschnitte, a centuries-old art of paper cutting into intricate designs.  I did an internet search of examples of scherenschnitte to show you, and just take a quick peek at some of the beauties out there!  

Back to the Hollow Scissors Heart die set.  They cut absolutely beautifully.  I use a Sizzix Big Shot with all of my dies, and since these dies are more intricate, a Sizzix Chrome Precision Base Plate helps get the best cut possible.  

Inlovearts Hollow Scissors Heart dies; The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Love sentiment stamp; pearls; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; My Favorite Things Pierced Traditional Tags tag die

The shot below shows better the silvery paper I used for the scissors.  Love how they turned out!  I used a mauve-pink shimmery paper for the heart, and I think it has such a romantic feel.  When I made the choice to use a pink heart, with silver scissors, that's when I knew this needed to be a Valentine's Day card. 😀

The next card has me dreaming of our next season:  autumn!  It's my favorite season. 💗  I used the Multiple Leaves die set. Although there are five beautiful leaves in the set, I chose only three to showcase in wheat, deep rusty orange, and mossy green cardstocks.  I set them against a deep espresso background to make those colors really pop! 

Inlovearts Multiple Leaves dies ; Stampin' Up! So Many Shells sentiment stamp; Gina Marie Designs Big and Little Chain Rectangles die

The Pattern Tie die set contains three men's ties and I like how bold they are!  This card is an A2 design, so it's 4.25" wide by 5.5" high.  The tie takes center stage (well, left stage!  LOL) and it only needed a sentiment to complement it.  I used a plaid patterned paper as a background base as well as the 'fabric' for the tie.  It's a little hard to see in the picture, but the tie has a stitched look all around.  It's a subtle but nice touch.

Inlovearts Pattern Tie die; Inspired By Stamping Guy Sentiments sentiment stamp

My last card showcases Stackable Hearts Nesting Dies and again, I found myself using the color orange!  I noticed this common thread after I made all four cards; so funny.  There are six hearts in the set, and used half of them on my size A2 card.  The smallest heart was die cut with ivory cardstock and stamped with a sentiment.  Each heart has pretty scallops all the way around.  So feminine!  And with pearls being one of my favorite accessories, they seemed a natural match for these dainty, girly hearts. 

Inlovearts Stackable Hearts Nesting dies; Hug Snug Mottle Brown seam binding; pearls; The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Birthday sentiment stamp 

The kind folks at Inlovearts are offering a 15% discount to you!

 

Discount code:   G-20398   

Thank you all so much for your visit today!

God bless you. 😃

For the Guys

Hello again!  It is Tuesday April 7, 2020 as I write this.  It's time to get ready for bed, but I wanted to put together a post to share for tomorrow.  😀  I just took a walk to get some fresh air, because it is supposed to rain overnight and for at least part of the day on Wednesday.  It was SO QUIET outside as I walked.  So quiet.  It's peaceful, and weird. 

So today I'm sharing some cards that have a masculine touch.  Always one of my tougher categories to create.  In fact, when my husband's birthday or our anniversary rolls around, I get so nervous, and procrastinate making his card because I think it won't look 'good enough'.  He tells me he always likes my cards, but you know how we are each our own worst critic. 

My Favorite Things Cheerful Blessings sentiment stamp; Bizzaro Fish stamp; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin You Are My Anchor sailboat, anchor, wheel stamps; Kat Scrappiness Stitched Postage Stamp Edge Rectangles die

Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp, Paper Pumpkin You Are My Anchor anchor; black twine; My Favorite Things Pierced Traditional Tags die; Papertrey Ink The Skinny sentiment stamp; vintage thread

Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin You Are My Anchor anchor, wheel, sentiment stamps; woven ribbon; twine; My Favorite Things Slanted Sentiment Strips die

After work this evening (as I write this on Tuesday), I polished more silver.  LOL  Why not, right?  I have a collection of baby cups, and they needed to be shined up.  One cup is my husband's, two belong to my daughters, and the rest I've just collected from antique and vintage shops.  It's not a big collection, but to me they are sweet little treasures.  One has the name 'Warren' on it.  Another more ornate one has the initials 'E.M.' engraved on the side.  I'll have to take a picture of them in the daylight to show you.

God bless you all, and I pray you remain healthy and safe.
xo

Wishing You Love, and much more

Good morning, friends!  It is Sunday, March 22, 2020.  I would normally be getting ready for church right now, but as it is everywhere, church will not be happening in our sanctuary.  My pastor created a message on YouTube for us to watch, and although it's not the same as being with church family, it ministers to my heart and spirit. 💓

This morning I received an email from a sweet woman who subscribes to my blog via email.  She said that my recent batch of posts uplifted her, especially considering what is going on in the world right now with the COVID-19 pandemic; plus, my other regular blog posts had been so far in the past.  Thank you so much for writing to me. 💗 If I can help in a small way to encourage others, just by sharing things I've made, well, it humbles me and fills my heart with gratitude.

Here are some cards to share today:

Had to turn the card a bit so you could see the gold patterned paper.  It shines so beautifully in person!

Papertrey Ink Garden Gild patterned paper, flower dies, sentiment stamps; rhinestones

...and the front-facing picture...

Papertrey Ink Garden Gild patterned paper, flower dies, sentiment stamps; rhinestones

Papertrey Ink Family Ties 'mom' sentiment stamp, Keep It Simple: Mother sentiment; Flourishes Summer Blossoms flower cluster stamp; My Favorite Things Mini Scallop Circle Stax die; L'il Inkers Stitched Rectangles die

Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; Papertrey Ink Family Ties: For The Girls 'mom' die; Flourishes Summer Blossoms flower cluster stamp; iridescent gem; L'il Inkers Stitched Rectangles die

Flourishes He Is Risen cross stamp, sentiment; My Favorite Things Mini Scallop Circle Stax die; clear sequins

Papertrey Ink Family Ties 'mom' sentiment stamp; Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Circle die; Inspired By Stamping Graceful Hydrangea small flower cluster stamp, Vintage Postcards postmark stamp; pearls

Flourishes Summer Blossoms flower cluster stamp, Spring Bouquets sentiment stamp; Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Square die; L'il Inkers Stitched Rectangles die

Martha Stewart pansy stickers; Gina Marie Designs Frilly Lace Rectangles die; Papertrey Ink Delightful Dahlia 'grandma' stamp, Ways To Say: I Love You sentiment stamp; pearls

K & Co. art deco die cuts (corners, woman, flower); Papertrey Ink Family Ties: For The Girls 'grandmom' die, Garden Gildsmall flower stamps; Stampin' Up! pink resin accent, Filigree Background stamp

Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Square die; TPC Studio Classic Icons fleur de lis stamp; all clock/watch faces stamped images were gifts from a church friend; deep taupe rhinestones; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment

My youngest daughter is a high school senior now.  Her class trip to Disney World would have started tomorrow.  To say she is disappointed is an understatement.  We also had to cancel our family trip to Mexico for April.  I am not complaining.  We have so much to be thankful for. The situation we suddenly found ourselves in has caused us all to reevaluate priorities.  Family is so very important.  I hope that people embrace one another -- not with arms, not right now! -- in their hearts.  I am encouraged to see the kindness in others rise up and shine.  May it continue during this extraordinary time.

God bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you,

A Crown For the King

Hello friends!  Masculine cards are sometimes a challenge to create. I struggle with them all.the.time! When my husband's birthday was approaching, I was sweating about what the design should look like.

Ultimately, I decided on a regal theme, complete with a golden crown.

Wow, check out the shine on that crown (Blockheads Paper Arts, Feeling Regal)!!

I used a Graphic 45 brown damask patterned paper as the background, then a fancy-edged rectangle die from Spellbinders is the frame for the focal point. There's a swirly die cut made with a Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die behind the gold embossed crown, and a circle sentiment from Inspired By Stamping.

Hubby said he liked it, but oh, I still second-guess myself on these masculine designs!

Blessed is the man

Although this card was created for Father's Day for the shop  - it can certainly stand in as a birthday card for any wonderful guy in your life.

I used a beautiful verse stamp from Verve:  Jeremiah 17:7 on a scalloped journal card die cut from Papertrey Ink. 

Some hemp twine was wrapped around the card, and tied off with a brown corduroy button from Stampin' Up! - older, of course, almost every supply I have is older. ;-)

A nautical card for my love

For my husband's birthday this year, I went with a nautical theme - 

I used a denim-look patterned paper as the backdrop, and layered on many things:  golden stars, an anchor stamp, trimmed out, a bronze button, a stamped compass, and a really cool little "rope" that came with a clothing tag on it.

I like the eclectic, collage feel to it, but I'm not so sure he did.

His reaction was, "Wow, there are a lot of things on here."

Um, yes, yes there are. :-)

Thanks for dropping by today!

Ties for Dad

Hi! I made a couple of tie-inspired cards for Father's Day that I wanted to share with you today.

This black one has pin-stripes and buttons and a black bow tie; perfect for fancy dads. :-)

The next one features a Tie die from Papertrey Ink, paired with fun patterned papers, all set on a mini-houndstooth stamped background (Market Street Stamps). 

I used the Tie die to also cut through craft foam, then adhered the paper ties to the foam for some dimension. 

Thanks so much for coming by today! Hope I didn't "tie" you up for too long! ;-)

Tools for Dad

Hi! I wanted to share with you a couple of Father's Day cards I made recently, using a cute little toolbox stamp from Lizzie Anne Designs Monthly Mix May 2010 'Dream Big' (retired set AND company).

On this first card, I imagined a work bench, with a rustic feel. The ruler paper is really perfect for this! Can't recall which paper pad I used for it. (Sieve-brain! LOL) 

The circular 'dad' stamp comes in the same set, and I stamped it in Soft Sky, punched it out with a circle punch, then ran my 18kt Gold Leaf Krylon marker along the perimeter.  It was tough to catch that shine, and I'm not quite sure if you can see it in the pic below.  The little nut, nail and washer - created using Our Daily Bread's Workshop Tools die set - were die-cut out of shiny silver mirror cardstock.

The next card using the same tool kit, and another sentiment from that same Lizzie Anne Designs set. This time, I used a lined-paper patterned paper, as well as a grid design. You know how much math is involved in woodworking! I pictured Dad jotting his mathematical notes on these pages -- that was my inspiration for the card. 

Though it's tough to see in the photos, I used Glossy Accents on the handles of the screwdrivers (the red and yellow handles).

Thanks SO much for joining me today!  Have a blessed day!

My Hero

Hi there, I'm sharing another Father's Day card that I recently delivered to Arts Plus Gallery. 

When I created this, I had in mind a dad or grandfather who served in our nation's military. I made a camouflage pattern of sorts with splatter stamps from Inspired By Stamping and speckles from Stampin' Up!  I also used a Canvas Background stamp (SU) in a light ink over the whole panel.

I created "dog tags" from a Stampin' Up! Key Tag punch and some silvery cardstock.  I used a gray ink pad to define the edges of each tag, by wiping the tag across the ink pad directly. Then, using the same ink, I sponged on color in 'random' spots to give depth and shadow. A bit of hemp twine connects them together, and they are taped to the back of the cardstock panel using regular ol' Scotch tape.

Thanks so much for dropping by today.  God bless you!