Reflecting on God

I created this 10″x8″ collage with K&Company paper,  recycled calendars and Layers of Color art stamps (Garden Borders, Gothic Crosses,  Royal Birds and Architectural Blocks).

Gratitude For God

A beautiful reflection torn from a recycled verse-a-day calendar… “When we reflect on God’s goodness, pure gratitude wells up in our hearts for all He’s given to us. And it’s easy to be joyful and at peace.”

Details

I cut the leaves out and added slots then put the picture behind them They bend outwards from the page. The dove represents the Holy Spirit coming to her as she reflects on God.

Philippians 4

This collage is based on the following biblical scripture…

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -

think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -

put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you. “

Philippians 4: 4-9

Rise on Wings

For those of you who need a lift, this card is for you.

May you feel the Lord’s peace come over you as you rest in Him today.

May God's Peace Be With You

Layers of Color Royal Birds art stamp set on K&Company papers.

For a chance to win this stamp set, visit Patter’s blog.

Psalm 139 9 thru 10

If you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you settle on the far side of the sea,

even there God’s hand will guide you, His right hand will hold you fast.

This is my prayer for you.

Please send this on to your friends and family in need of this encouragement today.

With Love,

Needle Felting

My friend, Heather visited last week and creatively enhanced my life, (as she often does). She taught me how to needle felt. Wow, what fun I having with this textural craft! I’ve always loved embroidery and working with yarn. Needle felting is like painting with yarn! And it’s also affordable, versatile and easy!

Needle Felting on a Purchased Sweater

I started with a simple knitted sweater from a thrift store. I bought a needle felting tool, mat & stencil, (“Applique Mold”) (Clover) and wool roving from my local craft shop.

Raised Flower Center

I stuck pieces of wool roving into the mold, placed it on top of the sweater with the mat underneath. Then I stabbed the wool with the needle tool until it was flat. I stabbed yarn for the stems freehand (without a mold). It’s that simple! It’s like sewing without thread. Mixing the various colors is one of the fun parts of this technique.

Needle Felted Flowers Made With Wool Roving

Multi-colored Needle Felted Rose

Pansies and roses are Heather’s favorite flowers, so I put them in my first needle felting project in honor of my teacher. It’s not at all finished, but I wore it to church anyway. I’ve seen ATCs made with needle felting, too. And I understand needle felting can be done on other fabrics, like denim!

I hope this inspired you to try your hand at needle felting!

Have a colorful day!

Butterflies have long been a symbol of Christs resurrection. Photo by Laura

Happy Easter Everyone!

Our family has many wonderful traditions for Easter celebration. As Christians it’s a great time for our rejoicing in Jesus’ resurrection! One of my favorite family traditions is that we put our names in a bowl and draw our “secret person”. We decorate a special egg just for them. On Easter morning, when we first greet that person, we hand them our egg gift and say, “He has risen!”.  And then the recipient responds, “He has risen, indeed!”. There’s always a spontaneous hug and chatting about the delightful gift afterwards. My mother-in-law started this tradition with her boys and I’ve had the privilege of being a part of it ever since I met them. I hope that my children enjoy it enough to carry it on for generations.

May your Easter be a special time for you, too! And may you know your living savior, Jesus Christ!

He Has Risen! He Has Risen, Indeed!

Easter in Paris

The Paris stamps (Cavallini) added a European touch to this Easter card. I love the Easter symbolism shown of the Royal Bird rising up in front of the Gothic Cross, which reminds me of Jesus’ resurrection.

Background Paper

The beautiful background is easy to create. I used a simple straw colored paper that had some striations in it (Memory Stor – Costco). Randomly stamp all over with Creative Flourish and Turquoise Gem (Versa Magic) ink. Rub Mango Madness (Versa Magic) and Magenta (Versa Color) ink pads directly on the paper. Wow, what a colorful difference!

Background Paper Detail

Allow some of the paper color to show and use varied pressure when applying the inks to achieve this distressed effect.

Background Paper on Card

After cutting the background paper to size, distress the edges with the Mango Madness and Magenta inks. Stitch with turquoise thread. Use Turquoise Gem ink to distress the edges of a larger piece of straw colored paper. Stitch along edge of paper without thread to create the holes.

Card Detail

I used the masking technique to get the cross behind the bird. Stamp the Royal Bird on a piece of paper and cut it out around the general outline (this is your mask). Stamp the bird again on white cardstock with black ink and place the bird mask directly on top. You can hold it down or use a post-it note. Ink the Gothic Cross with black ink but first stamp it lightly on a piece of scrap paper to lighten the effect. Stamp a second time, this time on top of the bird mask. When you lift away the bird mask the cross will appear to be behind the bird. I love this technique! You can leave the mask in place as you stamp the words on the background.

Color in the leaves with colored pencil to match the ink color. Cut the paper to size and stitch with turquoise thread to background paper. When the card is finished, apply Glossy Accents Dimensional Medium (Ranger) over bird, let dry.

Buckle Close Up

The buckle is made of brown cardstock punched or cut into an oval. Cut or punch slots. (Or use Cuttlebug oval buckle die) Stamp Fleur Heart in black ink. Cover with Glossy Accents Dimensional Medium, let dry. String ribbon or trim through buckle and staple to card.

Decorated Soap Gift

Here’s a lovely Easter gift. I wrapped a bar of soap (this one is Irish Spring in a box) with pretty papers and embellished it in fine European fashion. I was inspired by a box of soap my friend recently brought back from France for me. I matched the design and techniques used on the card.

Background Paper

The wrapping is made with plain mailing paper stamped with Creative Flourish and Turquoise Gem ink. Wrap it around the soap just as you would wrap any present, taping it closed. Using Mango Madness and Magenta inks, rub the all the edges with the pad to add the sunset effect. Make a paper (copy paper) strip smaller than the soap and tear the edges. Decorate it to match the card without coloring in the leaves and not adding the glossy medium. Make another buckle like the card and tie it to the gift then wrap the bird paper around the box and glue.

Gift Detail

Because the buckle is made out of paper it slightly wraps around the edges of the box. These are so pretty they are not really meant to be opened and used. I’ve stacked three soaps and wrapped them together as well. Mine are very pretty decorations on a bathroom shelf. Make several, as you’ll want to give them away and keep some for yourself! Enjoy!

Have a colorful day!

Whale watching with my wonderful family. (Miss you, Jessica and Chris!)

Today is a happy birthday for me as I have the gift of a loving happy family and I’m feeling satisfied with my life. It’s my last year in my 40’s, and I think it’ll be the best one!

Twice this week God has given me the message through His Word in the Bible that we’re very special to him. He made us in His image, made this beautiful earth for us, and gave us the responsibility to rule all the creatures. He gave us honorable status just below the angels! But best of all, he gave us His Son, Jesus so that we might inherit the kingdom and live eternally with Him! Eternal gifts from God, nothing could top that! A happy birthday indeed!

I’m also grateful for each and everyone one of my friends in blogland, too. Thank you for bringing so much color into my life!

God Bless Your Day!

Courtship

Wednesday Stamper challenge this week is to make artwork that is 2″ X 4″. I’m honored that the hostess, Patty has featured Layers of Color art stamps in her gorgeous sample art this week. Thank you, Patty!

My inspiration started with a pair of beautiful birds from one of my bird books. I cut them out and applied them to my 2 X 4 decorated background. Layers of Color Architectural Blocks art stamps add the detail along the upper edges and the frame is Layers of Color Beaded Frames highlighted with white gel pen. I finished it off with a corner punch in the top corners and used the punch waste for the bottom corners.

I may add this to a special card or other mixed media piece in the future.

New artwork added to the Designer Galleries and Stamper’s Gallery, come visit and be inspired!

Have a colorful day!