Joy...Love...Blessing by Emma's Paperie

Several weeks ago, I received a very nice email from Cindy of Emma's Paperie. (If you've never heard of this online store, you're missing out, for sure. They carry the most amazing and current products, esp if you love the vintage, shabby chic style. And don't forget to check out their rock-star DTs. I'm a fan of each one of them.)

I won their Birthday Bash contest earlier this year and Cindy was kind enough to ask if I would be interested in doing a Guest DT spot for them. I can't tell you how excited I was when I read that. She generously sent me some products, like the new Prima flowers, Jenni Bowlin, Graphics 45 and Melissa Frances, that I never would've tried before. Believe me, I've drooled over them online, but never allowed myself to like them since I can't easily get them here. :-) Thanks to Emma's Paperie, I finally to got to try them and have found new products to love!

The Emma's Paperie blog is showing several projects I made using products from their store. Here is one of them. Thank you, Emma's Paperie, for giving me the opportunity to Guest DT for you. And thank you to my dear friend, Laura, for taking the photos I used on this wall hanging.

Supplies used from Emma’s Paperie:

Banner Shape Mini Chipboard Pieces by Jenni Bowlin
Photographer's Mark Banner Alpha Stickers by Jenni Bowlin
Black Banner Alpha Stickers by Jenni Bowlin
Togetherness Birds of a Feather Pattern Paper by Cosmo Cricket
Togetherness Kite Strings Pattern Paper by Cosmo Cricket
Togetherness Making Plans Pattern Paper by Cosmo Cricket
Kissing Red Love Story Flowers by Prima
Red Journey Ribbon Collection by Maya Road
Nestabilities Labels Eight by Spellbinders

Thankful for You

I have a special post on the Layers of Colors blog today in their weekly feature, Faith Art Friday, where the focus is on Scripture that inspired a project. Here's a sneak peek of the card I shared there today:

The beautiful bird is from the Royal Birds clear art stamp set and the sentiment is from Lean on Me by Gina K Designs. The papers are Webster's pages, heart doily by Hallmark, seam binding, and flower by Prima. Check out the full view of the card and the post HERE.

The SRM Stickers Blog is featuring projects using Bazzill Basics today. They were so generous to provide us with their awesome products for our projects. Here is one of mine using SRM We've Got Your Stickers Thanks. The decorative borders and cardstocks are all Bazzill.

I love white sentiments

Here are a couple of cards using white stickers from the SRM Stickers We've Got Your Stickers line. I just love the white sentiments. I love white words on dark cardstocks, but am not a big fan of heat embossing. With these stickers, you can do that easily...just peel and stick. And I can devote more time on other parts of my card that I enjoy like coloring and stitching :-).

The first one uses the SRM WGYS Thanks. The apples image is by Gina K Designs, papers by October Afternoon. The frame is a die cut using my Spellbinders Label 16 dies. I then ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Victoria embossing folder.

This one uses SRM WGYS Happy. It's been awhile since I made a card without any patterned papers.

Have you seen the snippets on Gina's NEW blog yet? Here's the first of two I'm releasing next week:

Bon Voyage

Happy Wednesday, friends. I hope your week's been going well. Mine is great, esp today as I look out the window and the sun is shining! We've been working to fix our patio and need it to dry before we start the next phase. We're also installing a wood stove to prepare for a harsh winter. I can't wait to have it all done.

Today's card is for this week's Card Patterns and uses some of my favorite products. The stamps I used are Layers of Color's Acanthus Leaves (fleur de lis), GinaK's Lovely Labels 2 (background frame), Vintage Backgrounds (text) and Fanciful Tags. The papers are Webster's Pages. The beautiful seam binding is from this week's Card Patterns' sponsor, Simple Treasures.

Here's the sketch. I hope you can play along with us to win some fabulous vintage ribbons.

Celebrate the beauty and Winners

I hope you are enjoying beautiful fall weather in your corner of the world. It's been cold, windy and wet here in Croatia and I'm really starting to miss the sun. I do enjoy crafting even more when the weather is like this.We heard that this year's is going to be the coldest winter here in 100 years. I guess I'll get a lot of crafting done :-).

Today's card features Lovely Labels 2 and Melanie's Festive Frame sets (sentiment). The top paper is from Vintage Basics digi paper pack. The rest are from Cosmo Cricket's Winter Mittens. The ribbon is my hand-dyed seam binding. The green flower is Webster's Pages' bloomers, which I received awhile back but didn't know how to use it (sad, I know :-). The red flower is a Dollar Store find. Lace is by Wright's.
And now the WINNERS, all picked by Random.org, you've been waiting for from my Birthday Blog Giveaway:

Lovely Labels 2 stamp set ----->>> #59 Emmy
Upcoming GinaK stamp set ----->>> #112 Dani
Some shabby chic embellishments --->>> #47 Savannah O'Gwynn

Congratulations, ladies! Please email me (contact tab above) your address, so I can send the goodies out to you. Thank you all for your joining in my birthday celebrations.

Horsin' Around

My sweet hubby took our two older girls yesterday horseback-riding in a town about 1.5 hours away. The girls were so surprised and ecstatic that one of their dreams had come true. I had to stay home with my youngest who is still too young to go, but we had our own little party at home that included Bob the Tomato and Larry Boy. Here are some photos of their trip.


And here's my handsome cowboy :-).

And my card for today is perfect to go with these photos. It uses an image from Theresa's beautifully illustrated Farm Life stamp set. The papers are Oct Afternoon. The sentiment is SRM We've Got Your Stickers Thanks.

I have a thing for butterflies

I just think they are some of God's most beautiful creations. Susan of SRM Stickers recently sent me an email with photos of a transparent butterfly. Isn't it amazing? We can only imitate, but God is the best artist of all.

Here's my meager attempt to create beauty using images of these gorgeous creatures.

Stamps: Flutterescent and Nature Walk (Layers of Color), Vintage Backgrounds (Gina K Designs)

SRM Stickers: Item #42038 Everyday Life and #49010 Live Life - Think Pink.

The SRM Blog is featuring Breast Cancer Awareness Projects today. Make sure you stop by and see so many pink lovelies!

My talented friend, Giovana, also has a CARD DRIVE going on on her blog. It's for a worthy cause to encourage two precious kids battling a debilitating disease. Be a blessing to them and be blessed back!

And my birthday blog giveaway is still going on. There are three prizes up for grabs. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Just a Note

Thank you all who left sweet birthday greetings for me and my girls and participating in my blog giveaway. You are all the best. If you haven't yet, make sure you leave a comment on THAT POST for a chance to win Lovely Labels 2, an upcoming GinaK set and some shabby embellishments. You have until Monday night!

Today's card uses Melanie's latest set, Buds and Vases and Lovely Labels 2. I had so much fun coloring these flowers. The card base is GKD Sweet Mango. Patterned papers are Oct Afternoon and my Vintage Basics digi paper pack.

Enjoy your day!

Birthday Post and More Giveaways

EDIT: This giveaway is now closed. The winners have been announced -->> HERE. Thanks for joining in my birthday celebration.

Today is my birthday, but today's card is for YOU, my blog friends. I am thankful for your lovely comments and kind words on my blog. I hope that you realize how much your visits mean to me.
I'm celebrating my birthday today with my dear family. I share it with my middle-child and I stopped celebrating after she was born. So, I will be 30 forever :-). My youngest turns 5 tomorrow, so it's a busy week of festivities.

Seriously though, there's nothing like a birthday that will make one ponder about life matters. I often read Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions when I examine my life. Here are some things I like:

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

And my favorite:

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory.

If you've been a frequent visitor to my blog, you know that my first passion is Christ and my paper crafting is just an expression of that. As I examine my life on my birthday, I can't help but thank God for the joy He has brought to my life through His Son. My prayer is that everything I am and do is an testimony of my love for Him.

Now, you can't have a birthday without a giveaway. I actually have three since we have three birthdays to celebrate this week.

• Lovely Labels 2 Stamp set.

• One of my upcoming Gina K Designs stamp sets. I can't show you what it looks like yet till the previews begin at the end of the month, but I think you will like it. Hint: it coordinates with Spellbinder dies.
• Some shabby chic embellishments that include my hand-dyed seam bindings, delicate European lace, doilies and other lovely things for your paper crafting projects. (I will post a photo later on).
  

To be eligible, just leave me a comment here. If you are (or become) a follower, you can leave me a second comment. I will post the BIG WINNERS next Tuesday.

Have a great day! I know I will.

Card Patterns #84

I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was a little slow, but got some things done that I had been meaning to do for awhile. I have a busy week ahead with lots of project deadlines. I can't wait to share them with you all.

My cards for today are from Card Patterns sketch blog. Our sponsor is Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp that generously supplied us with beautiful stamps that I used on my card below.

Based on this sketch:

This card is from last week's Card Pattern's sketch. the sponsor was Creative Clear Stamps.

Have a great week, my friends!

Gina K Designs DT Challenge Hop

When Gina issued this challenge to use a background technique that she has featured on Stamp TV, I knew right away which one I was going to do - Distressed Newsprint. It's perfect background to make with my new Vintage Basics digital paper pack and Lovely Labels 2 stamp set. It's just what I need for my vintage-inspired cards.

My first card uses GinaK Grass Green cardstock for a base. The label was stamped with Tuscan Tan ink. I printed the ledger paper from Vintage Basics on ivory paper then stamped the text lines from the Vintage Backgrounds set. The background was distressed using Memento Bamboo Leaves and Distress Vintage Photo inks. The sentiment is from Labeled with Love.

The card base is Lipstick Red. I stamped the label with Vivid Brick Red, the flourish with Tuscan Tan, and the sentiment with Memento Rich Cocoa.

For more of the design team's favorite background techniques, please visit these designers' links participating in tonight's hop:

• GinaK
• Jessica
• Melanie
• Nina <<-- you are here!
  
• Theresa
• Tami
• Lee
• Cathy
• Donna
• Tera - our guest designer this month!

Sweetness Indeed

When I found out that SRM Stickers is partnering with Pink Paislee, I squealed in delight. Their booth at CHA was one of my favorites stops. I just love their products and am thankful I get to play with them. :-)

My cards today paired SRM Stickers and Pink Paislee's brand new Sweetness Collection. And that name is perfect indeed for this luscious collection of papers, stickers, die cuts, etc. I used the SRM Sticker Sentiments Love for this shabby wedding card.The butterfly is Embroidered Butterfly stamp by Layers of Color. The card base is GinaK Innocent Pink that I sponged with tan ink.

My second card uses SRM Quick Card Sweet Baby Girl and QC Hello Stickers.

Here's the whole Sweetness Collection and believe me, they look prettier in person:

Make sure you stop by the SRM Stickers blog today and tomorrow for more Pink Paislee project inspirations. I know you will not be disappointed. :-)

The Shabbiest ...

...card I've ever created is probably this one. If you saw the first cards I made, you wouldn't think they were made by the same person. :-) I am enjoying making this style and often my stamp designs reflect my love for the vintage and the shabby.

Today's card uses Lovely Labels 2 and Vintage Basics digipapers. I stamped the frame with Vivid Tuscan Tan then die cut with Spellbinders Labels 15. The papers are Oct Afternoon and the flower is by Prima. The cardbase is GinaK Kraft and ribbon is also GKD.

Here's a close up:
On another note, I read this poem years ago and stumbled upon it again the other day. I love it and want to share it with you all. I esp love the last stanza:

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

~Amy Wilson Carmichael

Fancy Congratulations

What a beautiful day today is in Croatia. The sun is shining, the colors are changing and my family is healthy. God is good.

Today's card uses Lovely Labels 2. I stamped the frame with Vivid Tea Rose. A good friend gave me some Zva crystals this summer and I've been hoarding them like crazy. Now that I've started using them, I can't stop :-). The papers are DCWV and October Afternoon. the flower is by Prima.

This card was made by my friend, Jennie. I love its simplicity and elegance at the same time.

va

Just For You

I am so happy to join the Layers of Color team blog hop featuring LOC's newest Cling Art Stamp Release. Yup, you read that right, LOC now offers their stamps in rubber on cling. If you're here from Melisa's blog, then you're on the right place. If not, please start on the LOC blog for more info about these new stamps and the Two New Release Prize Drawings.

I just love LOC's vintage style, esp because my good friend Laura hand drew them herself. As you may have noticed, I've been making more vintage shabby cards lately. There's just something special about the homey, heirloom feel of them. And LOC has the perfect stamps for this trendy style.

My first card uses Bird Queen. I colored it with Copics, then die cut with Spellbinders' Labels 16. I sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. The green paper is by Webster's Pages, stamped with a text stamp (from GKD Vintage Backgrounds). The sentiment is from GKD Fanciful Tags. The beautiful rose paper is from Pink Paislee's Sweetness Collection.

My second card uses the Embroidered Butterfly stamp, which was also colored with Copic and dotted with white ink. The papers are Webster's Pages.

Your next and last stop is the LOC blog to sign up for the prize drawings. Come stop by and visit the beautiful Layers of Color Boutique! Discover dozens of stunning new release artwork samples in the Layers of Color Cling Art Stamp Galleries!

See more of my artwork at my Layers of Color Card Gallery. And you'd like to visit with other Layers of Color fans and be inspired both creatively and spiritually, please stop by our forum on SNR! We have a group that's like family!

Thank you for hopping with us today and have a blessed day.