Be Faithful

This is my last week as a guest designer for the color challenge on SCS and I must say that I have enjoyed it tremendously!  This has been my first dabbling in DT work and being faithful in this small commitment has led to other opportunities for design work with Sweet n' Sassy Stamps.  I am thrilled at the doors that are opening up to me at just the perfect time in my life.  God is so good!

Inspirational Nugget: A perfect example of faithfulness can be found in God, our heavenly Father, because He is always faithful to those who love Him!  "Know therefore that the Lord your God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments..." (Deuteronomy 7:9)  "The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  Great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)  I'm so thankful we can begin each new day with God's mercy.  What an awesome God we serve! 

Creative Nugget:  Joanne chose Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake, and Vanilla as the neutral for CC329 this week.  The dessert option was to incorporate butterflies.  I chose this beautiful butterfly image from ODBD for my card sample.  The image is colored with Copic markers.  A matching butterfly impression plate from ODBD was used on the Melon Mambo strip behind the image, but it is difficult to see in the photo.  The berries have a dab of Glossy Accents and pearls were added to the border punch.  A bit of lace and ribbon finish off the card.  I loved working with these warm colors and like how the card turned out...hope you get some inspiration from this sample!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Faith (ODBD)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Soft Suede (SU!), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Vintage Cream, Craft (PTI), Soft Suede, Melon Mambo (SU!), Capella Paper Pad (BasicGrey)

Accessories: Butterfly Impression Plate (ODBD), Tool Kit (SU!), Border Punch (Fiskars), Rectangle Nestie (Spellbinders), Lace (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Silk Ribbon dyed with Copic Marker ((PTI), Sharpie Poster Paint Marker, Glossy Accents (Ranger),Copic Markers E42, E43, E44, E81, E87, RV02, RV13, RV14, G82, G85, G99

For my second card I used the Sweet Stop Sketch for this week along with the same  challenge colors of Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake, and Vanilla...this time without the dessert option.  

This Cocoa digi image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is so adorable.  He can't possibly eat all that chocolate himself...I may just need to help him!  This image was colored with Copic Markers as was the Baker's twine and the dew drops.  Here's a golden nugget:  I used to think I needed all the accessories in every color...now I usually buy just the white or cream and color everything with my Copics!  I can usually get a perfect match every time!  Thanks for stopping by...and keep the faith!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Sweet Cocoa digi image (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Ink: Soft Suede (SU!), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Kraft (PTI), Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede DP (SU!), Bittersweet DP (BasicGrey)
Accessories: Oval Nestie (Spellbinders), Canvas Impression Plate, Baker's Twine (PTI), Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Word Window Punch (SU!), Diamond Stickles, Dew Drops, Sharpie Poster Paint Marker, Copic markers E42, E43, E44, E81, E87, RV14, R00, R20, G82, G85, G99

 

Cherry Night Cakes

Betty has chosen some wonderful colors for CC328 this week at Splitcoaststampers.  We are to use Cherry Cobbler (my favorite red), Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, and neutrals of choice.  The dessert option is to use something from the kitchen.  Check out the fantastic samples and come join in the fun.  These colors just screamed patriotic to me which led me to think about and pray for our nation.

Inspirational Nugget:  Our Sunday School class has been using Max Lucado's book, Just Like Jesus, to discuss ways to be like Christ, and this week's subject was about having a heart of hope. How appropriate since many in America seemed filled with hopelessness and despair.  There has been so much loss lately...the earth seems to be groaning like a woman in travail.  When Jesus was facing the cross, he kept his focus on his Father.  He did not lose hope even in hopeless circumstances because he knew he could trust God.  There is our answer...look beyond your circumstances to the one who can handle your circumstances.  "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever..." (Psalms 146:5-6)

Creative Nugget:  I just had to use my new Patriotic Cocoa digi image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for these colors.  The image was printed on Cryogen White card stock and colored with Copic Markers.  I love the way this card stock shimmers and it is great to use with Copics.  The banner was made by stamping the stripes from an old retired Stampin' Up! set called "Old Glory," DP from the Paper Loft, and a little paper pleating.  For the kitchen dessert option, I cut a wooden skewer to fit the banner, sanded the ends, and colored it with a Prussian Blue marker.  All layers were then overstamped with the Canvas background stamp using Antique Linen Distress ink.  I'll also be submitting this card for the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge, All About Summer,  since it has a summer theme and the Cocoa image was a download.  If you are a praying person...pray for America today...and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Patriotic Cocoa Digi image (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Canvas Background Stamp (SU!)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler (SU!), Antique Distress Ink (Ranger)

Paper: Cryogen White, Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Night of Navy, Craft, Cherry Cobbler (SU!), The Paper Loft DP

Accessories: Scor-Pal, Circle Nestie and Lacey Circle Dies (Spellbinder), Embossed Scallop Edger Punch (EK Success), Baker's Twine (PTI), Sharpie Poster Paint Marker, Skewer, Copic Markers B34, B37, B39, R00, R20, R39, R59, R89, E40, E42, E43, E44

 

A Friendly CASE

"Friend!  How sacred the word.  Born in the heart of God, and given to man as a treasure from the eternities~no word in the languages so heavily freighted with meaning."  ~Cyrus B. Nubbaum~  I count it a blessing to to have quite a few true friends.

Inspirational Nugget: There is truth to the saying that to have a friend, you must be a friend.  It seems today that  many are so easily offended.  Years of friendship are destroyed by a single slip.  We forget that we are not as perfect as we expect others to be.  To have a friend means to overlook, forbear, forgive, esteem highly, deny ourselves, and serve...to love. As we do this, we will gain a true friend, one who will stick with us through the good times and the trials of this life.  "The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)  True friends are treasures that enrich our lives and bring comfort and relief.  Jesus is a friend to all believers and He sticks closer than a brother.  "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)  That is what Jesus did for you and for me!  Now that's a true friend!

Creative Nugget: The Free 4 All challenge at SCS today was to CASE a friend, and the Sweet 'n Sassy Digital Challenge was "All About Summer."  LeAnne Pugliese was the first friend at SCS that I got to meet in person.  Through her friendship, I have met many wonderful stampers, kindred spirits, from PA.  LeAnne's gallery is full of fabulous inspiration, but I chose her Mother's Day card to CASE. I changed the theme of the card and the colors, but kept the same design elements on my "Thanks From Paradise" card.  The image is colored with Copic Markers.  The whitecaps on the waves were highlighted with a white gel pen and given a layer of Diamond Stickles.  The umbrella was paper pieced and the shells were given a heavy coat of Glossy Accents.  The DP panels were pierced and the white panel was given some texture with the canvas impression plate...my absolute favorite way to add texture!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to meet here, my friends, for a relaxing day of fun in the sun!  Thanks for your friendship, LeAnne, and thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Paradise Digi (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Vintage Picnic (PTI), Shells (SU!)
Ink: Night of Navy (SU!), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Night of Navy (SU!), Echo Park DP
Accessories: Oval Nesties (Spellbinders), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Tool Kit (SU!), Silk Ribbon (PTI), Signo White Gel Pen, Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Kaiser Pearls, Copic Markers Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, YR16, YR18BG000, BG02, BG07, E31, E33, E35, E50, YG13, YG17, B37, B39, W00. W1, W3, 0

Happy Grads

My husband and I were invited to a double graduation party on Sunday...the brother had graduated from high school and the sister from college.  That means I had two cards to make so I turned to the featured stamper challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

Inspirational Nugget:  Having recently retired from teaching after thirty-five years, I got to thinking how much these two graduating, young adults and I have in common.  All three of us are embarking on a new phase in our lives...leaving the comfortable past and pressing on to new endeavors.  All three are trusting that the Lord will lead and guide us so that our future years will be as enriched and rewarding as the years we are leaving behind.  Listen to these encouraging words from the Bible.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6)  "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)  Maybe you are in the same position, and your life is changing for one reason or another.  Fear not...trust the Lord and enjoy the ride.

Creative Nugget:  Mary Brown, Stamper Camper on SCS, is the featured stamper this week.  Just take a look at her awesome gallery.  Her Fabulous Florets  inspired this card.  I kept the layout the same, but changed the stamps and the colors. The grad's school colors were navy and white so I went with that color palette.  I have a button where the beautiful bow is and changed the placement of the sentiment. The image was colored with Copic Markers.  The dew drops were also colored with a Copic Marker.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Mixed Messages (PTI), Digital Image(Sassy Cheryl's)

Ink: Night of Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Sky

Paper: Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Night of Navy, (SU!), Pattern Pack 2 (Retired SU!)

Accessories: Copic Markers E000, E00, E11, E31, E35, E42, YR20, R20, B32, B34, B37, B39, YG03, YG13, YG17, N1, 0, Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stars Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Baker's Twine and Button (PTI), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest)

My second card was inspired by Mary's Love & Care. 

I kept the layout the same and changed the stamps and the colors. I didn't know the grad's school colors, so I went totally girly for this one.  I used a paper strip instead of ribbon and added a ribbon knot and pearls.  Wa-La...two grad cards done!  Thanks, Mary!  Enjoy your day...thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Tag-Its #4, Round & Round (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Raspberry Fizz (PTI)

Paper: Pure Luxury (Gina K), Pure Black (PTI), Cosmo Cricket DP

Accessories: Tag Die (PTI), Circle Punch (SU!), Ribbon (PTI), Kaiser Pearls

Pinch Me!

What a surprise and an honor to have been asked to be a Guest DT member for the SCS Color Challenge for the month of June.  This is an answer to prayer and comes at the perfect time since I will be retired as of June 10th after teaching in the primary grades for thirty-five years...that's in just five days!  I am in the process of filling out report cards for the last time!  Hallelujah!

Inspirational Nugget: God is so good, and His timing is perfect.  Psalm 37:4-5, one of my favorite scriptures, says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it."  I don't think this is saying that whatever we want, God will give us, but rather, as we seek Him, he will cause us to desire those things that He wants for us according to His perfect will for our lives.  He will grant us those things because it is what He wanted for us all along.  Praise the Lord!  He is so faithful even when we are not!

Creative Nugget:  This is my first card as a Guest DT member for the SCS Color Challenge. The colors this week for CC326 are Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose.  Pearls and buttons were used to satisfy the dessert option which was to use a round embellishment.  The image was stamped and colored with Copics.  A bit of Diamond Stickles was added to the centers of the blossoms.  The DP was from a retired SU! paper pad.  Half a doily, buttons, and butterflies punched from DP and covered with some printed vellum were added to finish the card.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Easter Blossoms (SU!), Mixed Messages (PTI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Melon Mambo, DP (SU!), Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Printed Vellum (SU!)
Accessories: Nesties (Spellbinders), Doily, Ribbon and Buttons (PTI), Butterfly punches (Martha Stewart), Pearls (Kaiser Craft), Tool Kit (SU!), Copic Markers RV0000, RV11, RV29, RV32

My second card was made for the new neighbors who just moved in across the street.  These adorable houses  from a PTI set called "Love Lives Here,"  were cut out and popped up on the canvas textured white panel.  Rhinestones and a button were added for the dessert option. The black gingham ribbon was colored with a RV11 Copic Marker.  I hope you've been inspired today...thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe
Stamps: Love Lives Here, Boards and Beams, Background Basics: Gingham (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose (SU!) 
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo (SU!), True Black (PTI), Pure Luxury White (Gina K)
Accessories: Lace Edgers Die, Canvas Impression Plate, Button, Black Gingham Ribbon (PTI), Bakers Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Clear and Black Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft

Wedding Day

Mike and I are off to a wedding today.  The bride could not have ordered a more beautiful day...the sun is shining and there's no hint of rain!  Of course I'm once again making a card at the last minute!  Lately it seems I spend so much time checking out other blogs and looking through card galleries, that I don't get the cards made that I need!  Anybody else have that problem?

Inspirational Nugget:  Time wasters...how easy it is to just fritter away the time.  (Is that PA Dutch or what?)  I can find all kinds of things to get caught up in so I don't ever get to the important things that need to get done: house cleaning, report cards, visiting a sick friend in the hospital, making that card that will bring encouragement to someone.  And then when I'm up at 3:00 in the morning getting the important thing done, I wonder why I'm feeling tired!  Oh Lord, help me to manage my time better!  The Lord does have a solution to my problem...and yours, if you are a procrastinator like me.  Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "So be very careful how you live.  Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely.  Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.  So do not be foolish, but learn what the Lord wants you to do."  We only get one chance at this life and it is but a mist.  (James 4:14)  So, Lord, forgive me for frittering away my time, and help me to use my time here on earth wisely.

Creative Nugget:  This is the wedding card I made for the wedding we attended today.  Anne found this Plates and Napkins site for the Inspiration Challenge today at SCS.  One of the blocks on this guest towel  inspired the colors for my card.  There is absolutely no stamping here...gasp!  I used designer paper from the Capella paper pad by BasicGrey, a punched and embossed heart, the computer, a die cut doily,  added some embellishments and one wedding card complete!  Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful Memorial weekend!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: none

Ink: Computer, Antique Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Chocolate Chip (SU!)

Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Chocolate Chip (SU!), Capella Paper Pad (BasicGrey)

Accessories: Heart Punch (Marvy), Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Kaiser Pearls, Lace (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Border Punch (SU!), Music Score Impression Plate, Doily Die (PTI), Decorative Brad (Unknown)

Times of Refreshing

Yesterday was a day of refreshing for me...a personal day...a day off...and we had beautiful weather to boot!  Casey and I took to the fields for a long walk.  Let me just say that dog owners who walk in public places should take responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs...if you know what I mean.  If there's any "ahem...poop" around, Casey will find it... and...you guessed it.  Needless to say, we had some cleaning up to do when we got home.  Now he's all cleaned up and smelling good...he's just so sweet (just look at that face on my header)...and I love him no matter what!

Inspirational Nugget:  After Casey's walk I got to thinking about all the "poop" in the world today.  Temptations abound...immorality, drugs, alcohol, pride, selfishness, gossip, bitterness, and the list goes on and on.  Daily we must choose whether or not we will roll in life's "poop."  When we do, we feel dirty and smelly.  All of this filth in our lives affects our relationships with others.  Thank goodness we can go to the Father to get cleaned up!  "But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right.  He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done,"  (1 John 1:9)  God loves us...no matter what we've done.  We can always go to Him.  How refreshing!  "He restores my soul..."  (Psalm 23:3)  So spend time with the Lord today and be refreshed!

 Creative Nugget:  For my card today I used Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge 334 and color challenge 324, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, and Perfect Plum.  These are not colors I would have chosen, but I really like how they look together.  The porch image is colored with Copic Markers.  The pillows on the chairs are paper pieced and Glossy Accents were added to the windows.  Thanks for stopping by today! 

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Porch (Our Daily Bread Designs)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Pure Luxury (Gina K), Perfect Plum, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze DP (Stampin' Up!)

Accessories: Circle Punches (Stampin' Up!), Doily Die (PTI), Robbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Brick Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Pearls (Kaiser Craft), Prima Flower, Copic Markers E40, E43, E44, E81, E87, BG0000, BG70, BG72, BG75, YR30, YR31, BV00, BV08, BV11, W00 

Yikes! First Post!

After playing around with the layout of this blog for several weeks, I've finally decided to take the plunge and publish a post.  You have to start somewhere...RIGHT!  So even though I've a lot to learn about blogging, and this blog is not fully developed, here we go!

Inspirational Nugget: This is the day the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it...and He has given us another day to enjoy.  Because I am here writing this post and you are here to read it, I am assuming that the end of the world did not come as predicted.  Man is fallible, but God's word is infallible.  According to Mark 13:31 the earth and sky will  be destroyed...but not yet.  As we read further, "No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son.  Only the Father knows."  There's a lesson to be learned here and Mark says it better than I could, "Be careful!  Always be ready, because you do not know when that time will be."  (Mark 13:33)   We look forward to the return of Jesus, but until that time, I pray you live each day for Him!

Creative Nugget: Today's featured stamper at Splitcoaststampers is Carly, AKA PaperInBloom.  What a fabulous CAS gallery she has.  I chose to case her Puppy Friend card.  I kept the same basic layout on her card, but tilted the image panel, used the Swiss Dots embossing folder instead of stamping polka-dots on the background, and added an additional scalloped layer.  The image is colored with Copic Markers and there's a little dab of Glossy Accents on Cocoa's eyes.

Cocoa and I want to thank you for peeking in.  Have a wonderful week!

  

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Feeling Fruity Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Craft, True Black (PTI), Cryogen White

Accessories: Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Gingham Ribbon, Button (PTI), uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Copic Markers E40, E42, E43, E44, YG13, YG17, YG21, YG67, R00, R20, R22, R39, $59, R89