Hi everyone and welcome to the Operation Write Home blog Hop! I have created 2 Christmas cards. The scripture stamp is from Inspired Stampsand they are one of the great sponsors today! Be sure you click on the above images so you can see all the Christmas goodness! I support our servicemen and women because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
The first card reflects all the vintage goodness I have been perusing on the web lately! I am under the "vintage influence"! I love how it turned out! I used Inspired Stamps"Blessed Little Christmas" stamps for the verse and the embossed stars.
The 2nd card is the one I actually started with but wasn't thrilled with it and started over with the vintage one. I still don't love this card but wanted to show you this so you could see the scripture stamp more clearly. It's also the first time I have used Liquid Applique for snow-FUN!
Supplies for Vintage card besides Inspired Stamps: CTMH Kraft paper, CTMH ink and embossing powder, buttons and gold rick-rack from stash, trees cut with Art Philosophy CTMH Cricut cart, patterned paper from MME "Lost and Found Christmas", MS butterfly punch, CTMH tree stamp "Holiday Magic"
Supplies for Blue Card besides Insp. Stamps: CTMH cardstock and Wonderland patterned paper , twine, Moonlight CTMH ink, Liquid Applique
The last challenge this month at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com is to create and item that uses sentiment stamps and no other type of stamps. I decided that a fun tag was in order. I went through my stamps and found several appropriate words to use to fill this little tree. The tag was cut out using the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge. I masked the white dimensional tag underneath and stamped the words. I glittered the green tag using our Prisma Glitter then mounted it on the white tag.
I outlined the tree using Liquid Glass and twine. The star was one I had in my stash and I'm pretty sure it was cut with the Cricut. I finished the tag off with a cheerful red and white twine bow. Ink colors are Vineyard Berry and Ponderosa Pine from CTMH. All stamps are CTMH and come from several sets.
This week the Design Team at Inspired Stampswas asked to share a Christmas project. Since it's my fave holiday, I had no problem whipping up a Christmas card. The wonderful stamps at Inspired Stamps make the creative process so easy with the great scriptures and adorable characters.
For this card, I used the new HLO Thankful Girl. She's such a little lady with her cute dress and purse. I used Copics to color her in her Christmas dress. The sentiment and the scripture stamp I used is from the new Blessed Little Christmas set. Be sure you check out the rest of the Design Teams' work. I've had a look at them and each one is beautiful!
Other Supplies used: My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Christmas paper, CTMH Chocolate, Vineyard Berry, Black and Ponderosa Pine inks, CTMH Glitz Glitter Glue, Copics:
The gals at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com, challenged us last week to make something using cardstock only - no patterned paper. I was inspired by the cute owl on the CTMH Petite Perks stamp set to make an owl card. The outside of the card was inspired by one my friend taught me to do-I think the original is on splitcoast stampers but a google search for owl pop-up card comes up with several similar.
Anyhoo, I used my Cricut Hoot n Holler cart to create the cute owls inside and out. All cardstock and inks are CTMH. I used the woodgrain Cuttlebug folder for the front of the card and then cut out a 2" circle for the owl to peek out of. The owl has pop-up googly eyes. The banner was cut with CTMH's AP Cricut cart and stamped with 3 of the stamps from the Petite Perks set-click on the photo to see them better. The inside was stamped with the sprig stamp from the CTMH "10 Things" stamp set.
Today's devotional is a video of my son preaching to his youth group in Belton, TX. He has been a full-time youth pastor for a little over a year now. He and his wife have a huge heart for the youth of today and do an amazing job reaching them. Thanks for indulging a proud and thankful momma!
These flowerpot cards were all the rage a couple of years ago and I made so many of them I got tired of them! However, when I was pondering what Fall card I could make for this week'sInspired StampsDesign Team post, this card popped into my head.
For the flowers, I used the versatile Flowers stamp set. The scripture is from the Favorite Collection #2 stamp set. I love how it turned out so much, that I may make a banner out of several of the pots! Be sure you check out the rest of the Teams amazing projects today!
For the flowers
1. stamp, color with Copics and cut out them out
2. used CTMH Glitz in bronze for the centers
3.layer a small one on top of a large one with a foam dot
For the Card:
1. use Gypsy to weld the bottoms of 2 flowerpots together from the Walk in My Garden Cricut cart
2. run the bottom through Cuttlebug with a swirl folder
3. distress it with a nail file.
4. use twine tied around it to hold the card together
5. cut out the insert card and stamp as desired
6. use pop dots to adhere some of the flowers to insert
7. cut leaves with Close To My Heart Art Philosophy cart and adhere behind and in the flowers
8. pop dot one flower and adhere 2 leaves to the center of the pot and then add another to the bottom.
Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”).
The Song God With Us by MercyMe
My Thoughts
The words I am sharing today are from our family Christmas letter from 2002. It was the year after I was diagnosed with MS and the year I became wheelchair dependent. It had been a rough year but we had learned the meaning of "Emmanuel, God with us".
We have learned the meaning of His name over the past year. January brought crippling fatigue and negative changes in my health. Our church family provided meals, love and encouragement, my dear mother gave the gift of cleaning, ...God with us! February brought a nasty fall and a Royal Ranger friend felt led to send a wheelchair the day I was going to need one...God with us!! There was progression in the disease that resulted in a hospital stay and the words from the neurologist that I may have the rare form of MS and I might not improve, our church family and many others prayed and quick and miraculous improvement came...God with us!
March brought an extended stay in rehab and some improvement came and many friends visited and helped the time pass...God with us! My wonderful in-laws moved here to keep the home fires burning...God with us! Changes to our home were needed to accommodate my new life in a wheelchair and our family, many friends from church and Royal Rangers built a new beautiful bath and dressing room...God with us! The decision was made that I could not return to work but God provided our every need through miraculous ways...God with us!
May brought the beginning of chemo treatments and the beginning of new strength and energy...God with us! Summer brought some return to normalcy in our life, we said goodbye to Jeff’s parents and began fending for ourselves again. As summer drew to a close we were uncertain how to get our youngest children to and from school and a Royal Ranger commander stepped in with the gift of a powered chair to enable me to “walk” with them...God with us! The Fall has been a time of much improvement in energy and stamina...God with us!
You see, even though my body was going through the most difficult struggle of my life, God was supplying our needs through His people. His followers were showing His love for us in all that they did. Never have I had such a more difficult year but never have I felt God's love and presence more. How could my soul not say "All that is within me cries For You alone be glorified: Emmanuel, God with us. "
Your Response
Even if you have not seen God's hand as clearly in your life as you think you should, you can still rest assured that He is with you and working behind the scenes for your life and His glory. Focus not on what you are going through but what good things you see happening. Thank God for all He has brought you through and for all He is going to do.
I just have to share- I finally took the plunge and submitted my work to a couple of magazines and I just received the 1st one in the mail today with MY ARTWORK in the magazine! It is the "Scrapbooking" magazine that Hobby Lobby sells at their registers.
My stuff is on page 56-the WHOLE page! They featured my JOY stocking hooks and a stocking card. Woo Hoo-I'm published:) It will hit stores on October 1st.
Stay tuned for my exciting news about a fabulous January publication I was chosen for....
I have had fun making and teaching the 4x4 easel cards the last couple of weeks. Thank you to Anoinette for the video tutorial. While looking at one of the cards the other day, it hit me that they would make a cute desk calendar. I had just received these mini calendars I had ordered from Skybluepink, so I got to work.
I am also submitting this to the color challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com. I used the gorgeous Dreamin' papers from Close To My Heart. The rolled flowers, leaves and bracket were cut from the CTMH AP cricut cart.. The bird medallion is just too cute for words and it is part of the CTMH Harvest Charms set.
This card is my attempt to usher in Fall here in Texas! We had a little relief last week but today, we hit 106 and broke the record for most 100+ degree days in a year! Today was #70 and tomorrow we are expected to reach 100. The weathermen are promising that cooler temps will arrive on Thursday and hopefully we will say "see ya later" to triple digits.
Anyhoo, I created this for the current challenge at www.heart2heart challenges.blogspot.com. I also believe it will become my Father-in-laws bday card. The challenge was to create something using diecuts and OF COURSE I used the Cricut and the Art Philosophy cartridge. I've never worn out a cartridge from over use but this one may just be the first!
The bit of patterned paper I used for the frame is from Dreamin' paper pack. The leaves, acorns and sentiment were all cut with the AP cart and stamped with the fabulous coordinating stamp set "Harvest Happiness". I also used a stamp from this set to create the subtle background on the card base. The card base with the leaf cutout is from the AP cart as well. I backed the cutout with packing tape, sticky side out, and then covered it with Opal Fire glitter from Martha Stewart. The dots on the points of the frame are from our new Bronze Glitz glitter glue. I shined up the leaves and acorns with a coating of Liquid Glass.
The card was good at tthat point but I really thought it needed one last finishing touch so I added the knotted ribbon for a little panache!
Everything but ribbon and glitter is from Close To My Heart. Ink colors used: Goldrush, Chocolate, Brown Bag, Autumn Terra Cotta, Desert Sand and Sorbet.
For this simple easel card, I used Close To My Heart's Roxie papers. I just love the soft roses and browns and the feminine design. For a great video on how to create an easel card, check out Antoinette's Blog.
The bracket shape, pennant and rose were cut using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I found a great little tool at The Crafty Scrapper to help in rolling these wonderful flowers. It's called a petal roller and it is by Imaginesce.
Antoinette has really outdone herself with the new September releases at inspired stamps! I have been hoping and wishing and praying for angels and music stamps and voila here they are! These will be available on Friday after Noon.
I used the new Sing for Joy and His Little Ones Choir Angel stamp sets for this sweet pop-up Christmas card. Again, you'll be able to order these on Friday after Noon at inspired stamps. I had just learned to make the pop-up card from my friend Denise at our retreat and knew I had to use that technique on these cute little crooners.
The other design team members will be showcasing a new stamp set each day this week so be sure and check them out. My partner today is Chere and she has made a beautiful card, be sure to check it out!
If you left a comment on any of our blogs last week for the drawing, please check out Antoinette's blog to see if you won. She got carried away and chose EIGHT winners instead of two! www.inspiredstamps.blogspot.com
other supplies: Close To My Heart Wonderland paper, cardstock, inks and Art Philosophy Cricut Cart. Twine, rhinestones and Copics
His Word Psalm 71:17-18Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
The Song Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
My Thoughts
It saddens me that in the span of a few months, I have lost two lovely women in my life.I recently wrote a tribute to my friend Maria and now I am sharing the story of my cousin, Linda, with you.
In the days following Linda’s death due to cancer, the song “Legacy” kept playing in my head.Linda could have penned these words herself,“I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering”.
Linda’s desire was to leave a legacy of faith for her family and friends. She was full of God’s lighteven though cancer had been her unwelcome, on-again, off-again companion for several years.Through her fight with the enemy, she remained firm and faithful in her belief in a God who heals.She was a beacon pointing the way to God for her children and grandchildren.In fact,when she had liver cancer a few years ago,one doctor told her that there wasn’t hope for her,instead of believing him, she believed in God and she chose to plead her case with heaven and find another doctor who would perform a new, experimental procedure.The combination of prayer and treatment, extended her life for a few more years.
Linda was one person who understood when I said that I believe God had healed me of MS during prayer several years ago but He had not yet completed that healing.Linda understood because she felt the same way about her own healing.I also knew I could believe her when she said she was praying for my healing as I prayed for hers.She often shared with me that she was looking forward to the day that she could see me walk again.
Although we have lost Linda to this world, God has provided her with perfect healing in His heavenly home.Linda absolutely left a legacy of faith for her friends and family.She did not waiver in her love for and faith in her Maker.It did not matter if you were a coworker, a stranger or a friend, Linda pointed to God enough to make “a mark on” those she came into contact with.Although Linda asked God to allow her to live to see her youngest grandchild graduate from high school, she also could say “in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides the temporary trappings of this world.”She was a “child of mercy and grace who blessed (His)name unapologetically”.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend her funeral in another state but my sister recorded some of the service for those who weren't there. My brother read words that were written by her daughters and others that testified to the legacy she had left them.Linda may not have been “well traveled, well read,well-to-do”but on the day she faced her Maker,I know she heard "Well done" good and faithful one”.
Your Response
Ask yourself what legacy you are leaving to those who surround you.Determine in your heart to leave a legacy that honors God and ask Him to give you the strength and faith to follow through day by day to instill in your loved ones that legacy of faith.
Welcome to the first week of the new Inspired Stamps Fall Design Team's postings! I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of the Inspired Stamps new team! Welcome and congrats to all the new team members! Be sure you check out everyone's designs. I've posted their names and linked to their blogs below.
You will want to visit each blog and LEAVE A COMMENT because the owner of Inspired Stamps will be visiting each blog to choose some winners to receive their choice of a His Little Ones stamp!
Aren't they the cutest little birdies? I colored everything with Copics and added a bit of Liquid Pearls for the eyes. If you have never used Inspired Stamps, you owe it to yourself to pick up a couple from Inspired Stamps and see how crisply they stamp! Shipping is super fast! You will absolutely fall in love with the stamps!
Antoinette owner/illustrator/Design Team Coordinator
I spent Labor Day weekend with some of my favorite scrap divas on a retreat at Stolen Moments Inn. We had a fabulous time visiting, laughing, eating and scrapping in a beautiful setting. My friend, Michele, worked on cards for family and friends in the military. I had shared with her that I was starting to collect cards for the first time for Operation Write Home. She decided to make one more card for "any soldier".
This is her beautiful card. We all thought it was wonderful. Amazingly, this was also her first time to color with Copics. I asked her permission to scraplift it but then decided to post her original. Didn't she do an awesome job? The cute little sailor is from Inspired Stamps and I'm not sure about the others.
By the way, Inspired Stamps is sponsoring a contest for Operation Write Home. Here is the info from her blog:
I am SO EXCITED to announce a monthly CHALLENGE that will run the entire month of September!! Your challenge is to create a beautiful card or set of cards for our soldiers to write home to their loved ones on!! In support of Operation Write Home, who you'll mail your cards to so they can get to the soldiers (click on this LINK to see where to send them), we will be giving away 2 prizes...
TWO WINNERS of a FREE STAMPSET OF YOUR CHOICE will be chosen on October 1st!
Here are the 2 categories you can choose to make your cards:
MISSING YOU OR LOVE YOU cards!!
Here are the EASY rules:
1: Make your 4.25x5.5" card(s), using NO GLITTER. Have stamps used on your card (do not need to be Inspired Stamps images, but we'd love for you to use them if you have them!!) You can add papers and embellishments, but please no really big/heavy embellishments. If you use a dark cardbase, make sure you add a light color insert so the soldier can write in it!
2. Take a photo of your card and link itto the inspired stamps blog here to where it is on your blog or photo sharing spot to be entered into the contest!! Make sure when we click on it we get right to that photo and don't have to search for it!
EASY!! I can't wait to see what you come up with and remember MISSING YOU and LOVE YOU cards are what we are looking for...a soldier will be sending your card to a loved one back home!!
Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”
Today, I have chosen to just provide you with a wonderful song that says everything I feel about our heavenly Father. My devotionals will resume next week.
Hi everyone and welcome to the Operation Write Home blog Hop! I have created 2 Christmas cards. The scripture stamp is from Inspired Stamps and they are one of the great sponsors today! Be sure you click on the above images so you can see all the Christmas goodness! I support our servicemen and women because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
.
