Heather Wombacher was Layers of Color’s first designer…before we had a team and when we only carried 8 stamp sets in our line. But we were friends before then…

… We met one summer at family camp at Canon Beach Christian Conference Center in Oregon, and were immediate friends. We shared our family values, our Christian faith, being homemakers and chicken owners, having home-based businesses, and a love for creating with our hands. Besides, Heather loves to laugh, and does it often… how could I not adore her instantly?  God had planned it that we both live in Washington, only live an hour from each other, and our children love to play together… so naturally we’ve become more like sisters, the sister we never had. (I’m the big sister of course, since I’m much older ~ lol)

Heather is an amazing artist and I am extremely fortunate to own the most exquisite handmade treasures from her. Look at this gorgeous gift! I loved a little fiber bird in a shop but didn’t buy it, and the next thing I knew she made her own version, this incredible Pincushion Bird on a decorative stand! The details are wonderful!  I admire how she uses recycled materials and gives them a new life. Like this bird stand, it’s made from a salt box, and the bird is made from a sweater. And hidden inside this other sweater pincushion she made, is a tuna can!…

Pincushion featuring Layers of Color Architectural Blocks art stamp set.

Up until a month ago, Heather created amazing mixed media artwork for Layers of Color Design Team. It was such fun working together and sharing our love of all things creative. Recently Heather decided to retire from the team so she could focus all her time and energy on homeschooling, family, and her home-based business, The Patchwork Heart. The team misses her but we are happy for her that she is following her heart and strengthening her family.

Sneak peak of Heather’s fiber art book featuring Layers of Color Backyard Birds art stamp set.

We’re keeping Heather’s Layers of Color art gallery so you can enjoy all her inspiring creations. And today I’m excited to share some of her newest artwork, never before revealed to the public! I’ve added many beautiful new pieces to her gallery that I know you will love.

Please also visit Heather’s beautiful blog, and stop by her shop where you can read her heart touching story and buy her lovely handmade and heartfelt pretties. In her online boutique you’ll find ribbon rose brooches, lavender sachets, little girl’s project kits, and treasures “In the Attic”. Let’s support her family business…please tell all your friends and family to visit The Patchwork Heart!

For Mother’s Day I made this vintage style paper shoe

with hand-stamped designer paper made with Layers of Color art stamps.

Vintage Paper Shoe  (6″ long from heel to toe)

Paper shoe template is designed by Ellen Hutson.

I printed the pattern on ivory cardstock.  After cutting out the pattern I stamped each piece with Layers of Color Vintage Roses and Touch of Elegance stamp sets.  I used Martha Stewart decorative scallop edge punch on the heel and upper toe, then distressed the edges and assembled per instructions.  For Vintage Rose Designer Paper tutorial to match this project, see post below.

I placed the rose stamps across the toe like a garland. And added a wired beaded flower as an accent. Glitter would be a sparkling touch!

This vintage shoe makes a great gift container for a sachet, a small bag filled with treats, a note, or a diamond ring, I mean a special gift. You could make one for each place setting at a bridal shower! But this one is for a special mother on Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day! May you be showered with love and feel celebrated!

God Bless,

I’m dancing with glee as I introduce a most delightful Guest Designer,

Nina Brackett

Nina’s heart and hands serve Our Lord, Jesus with all the energy, talents and joyfulness that God has abundantly bestowed upon her! She’s a fabulous card maker and stamp designer, who shares her beautiful creations through her blog, online communities like SNR LOC Group and StampTV, and stamp companies  TSG ,  GinaK Designs and Layers of Color. Throughout the month of May, Nina will be featuring some of her new favorite Layers of Color art stamps each week!

Today, Nina shows us her versatility by making three cards with different themes featuring  Butterfly Collector…

Like a formal evening gown topped with pearls, this elegant card gracefully expresses gratitude.

Happiness and fun play merrily together on this whimsical card.

Nina combines the strength of wood grain and the roughness of string to create a great masculine themed card.

Three wonderful cards! Triple the  “THANKS!” , Nina!!! Our team has gained not only a very special friend, but the skills of a professional, and a endless source of inspiration!

May your hearts be overflowing with thankfulness today,

Card by Linda Lucas

Thank you, Linda for sharing this gorgeous card with us on this Easter Faith Art Friday!

Please visit Linda’s blog on Good Friday!

We have a lovely Easter tradition in our family started by my husband’s mother. A few nights before Easter Sunday we draw family names from a hat. We decorate an egg for the name we chose. Then Easter morning, as soon as we see that person we present them with the egg gift and say, “He has risen!”  They respond, “He has risen indeed!” I love family traditions! I was raised with only a handful, so as I’ve raised my children we’ve started many new traditions and adopted old ones from my husband’s family.

My husband sings tenor on the worship team for all three services Easter morning and then we have a feast at home to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. When the children were younger we would have egg hunts in the yard and “nest” hunts in the house. My hubby’s mother still uses the same little colored nests made out of paper basket straw that she used when he was a boy. I always fill a basket with candy, (jelly beans are a must!) and a little toy or two, which I leave at the end of the children’s beds the night before Easter.

I hope that this weekend you are enjoying family and celebrating God’s son, Jesus, the greatest gift given to every one!

Easter blessings to you,

I’d like to introduce you to my special guest…My talented friend and Sr. Designer, Heather Wombacher! She has made the sweetest, “Wee Little Spring Basket”, and has generously offered to share the “How-to” with us! I look forward to seeing how your lovely creation turns out! Enjoy this special post by Heather:

Happy Spring everyone!

My Wee Little Spring Basket is the perfect size for wee little treats and small doses of love for your family and friends.

This isn’t a traditional tutorial but hopefully you can see where each supply was added or how it was used so you make your own.

Let’s get started! Yippee are you skipping with glee?

Here is what you will need:

• Small peet pots from your local nursery or garden shop (or an empty yogurt container)
• Robin egg blue crepe paper
• Opaque shrink plastic
• Mocha brown chalk ink
• Layers of Color Vintage Rose and Acanthus Leaves stamp sets
• Silver German Scrap
• Teal blue Binding tape
• 5″ of your favorite robin egg blue wired ribbon
• Embossed wallpaper
• Robin Egg blue paint
• Brown paint
• Teal blue watercolor pencil or other coloring medium
• Glue
• Teal glitter glue
• Small hole punch
• Something for the handle-I used bark covered wire- I know way cool stuff!

Step1: Stamp Vintage Roses image onto shrink plastic with brown chalk ink. At this step you could also color in the image as you please. I just left it plain Jane, pretty as it is. Then shrink according to shrink plastic directions.

Step2: Using your embossed wallpaper, cover the container. Do this to your liking. I lined my paper along the top of the container, then wrapped it around and glued it, letting it hang over the bottom edge. Then with scissors, I cut slits from the paper edge to the bottom of the container which made tabs to fold and glue to the bottom of the container. You can also lay it down on the paper, roll it along and trace a pattern.

Step3: Make a paint wash by using one part robin egg blue paint to 2 -3 parts water. Paint evenly over the paper-covered container, then with paper towel dab off the excess so that the paint stays in the crevices but not on the raised portions. Let dry. Do the same with a wee bit of brown paint but, water down even more, so it is more like a stain. Repeat this process to your liking.

Step4: Make a basket stand by taking several layers of crepe paper (I used 5) and cut a circle at least 3/4″  larger than the pot bottom. Staple the circles together in the center then fringe the edges by making 3/4″ cuts all around. Glue to the bottom of your basket. Ruffle and poof to your liking.

Step5: Make a rosette from your ribbon by pulling one side of ribbon wire tight, then glue seam to fully encircle. Glue shrink plastic roses to ribbon center.

Step6: Attach your Silver German scrap trim to the top edge of the basket and punch holes for handle.

Step7: Make a fringe fan with crepe paper and glue to the inside of pot where you want your rosette to go. Stamp Acanthus Leaves on card stock, color, glitter and cut out. Attach it on the diagonal as a back drop to your Rose vignette.

Step 8: Glue Rose vignette to front of your basket. Next attach handle and tie with binding tape.

Voila! A wonderful Wee Little Spring Basket to fill with goodies to give to a friend or to celebrate Easter!

Thank you, Heather! I hope this put a “wee little spring” in your step today…it did for me! See more of Heather’s lovely artwork in her gallery.

May God add gleeful layers of color to your day,