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Thursday, October 30, 2014

DRS Challenge #146 Any Autumn Holiday

Good Thursday to you all!
Hope you are having a lovely week so far and hope you're enjoying the fall weather!
Well, the challenge this week is for any Autumn holiday, so since tomorrow is Halloween, I decided to take this last opportunity !
DRS stamps used: Count Porkula 134D, Vertical Happy Halloween 538D, Spooky Tree w/Moon 070L, Accent Bats 517A, Snowy tree w/fence 144M
I only had to do a bit of masking for this little scene.  I stamped Count Porkula first then masked him and stamped the spooky tree w/moon.  Then I stamped the snowy tree with fence.  I changed the piles of snow to piles of leaves.  Hey why not? I colored with Copics including the sky that is a blue and purple/pink. I added a die cut bat and a die cut fence.  The jack-o-lantern in front is a decorative brad.
To see the other designers cards and to join in the fun by making a card yourself, click HERE.
Remember, there is a prize given!!!
Have a great rest of your week and get stampin!
Robin

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

ODBDSLC216 Scripture Inspiration Week 2

Good morning everyone!! Hope you are having a lovely Tuesday and 
enjoying the crisp fall air!
ODBD stamps used: Mother and Child Ornament, The Babe
ODBD dies used: Peaceful Poinsettias, Beautiful Borders, Vintage Flourish Pattern, Circle Ornaments, Matting Circles
I die cut the blue background and then ran it through with a 6 X 6 embossing folder to create the snowflake texture.  The piece that was die cut out, I lined with silver leaf pen. I then die cut the smaller cut with silver shimmer. I stamped the Mother and child ornament and the sentiment on white with VersaMark then used silver detail powder to heat emboss.  These were then die cut,  The ornament was matted with silver. The poinsettias were die cut and stenciled with silver ink using the die (it has a pattern in the center of each petal). I cut a couple more poinsettias in silver then cut them apart to use as leaves.  I added silver micro beads to the centers.  I also cut two beautiful borders for top and bottom.  When I put the card together, I popped up the ornament and sentiment from the blue layer. The blue layer is popped up from the silver card base so that the window cut out could be sunk down a level.  I used silver metallic ribbon for a bow and tucked in here and there among the poinsettias.
To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC216 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 4, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.
Please visit my talented design team sisters to see more cards for this challenge.
"A Time to be born"
God's timing was perfect.  As you investigate Jesus in the Bible you see in old and new testament, everything lining up. God is so awesome in His plan.  This King Jesus, who was born to die for the rescue of the world, was born not to a royal family, in a palace full of riches.  The King of kings was born to a poor teenage girl and her betrothed.  Before she was married, the Holy Spirit of God came to her and caused her to be with child.  She never was with a man.  Can you imagine what she went through in that day and age and what her husband to be, must have thought?  It was not easy being part of God's plan.  Thankfully, God visited Joseph as well and let him know that indeed, Mary was still a virgin, she had done no wrong.   This child was to be the savior of the world, to all who would believe.  He was born to die.  He walked among us, being gentle and kind teaching and healing people.  Forgiving them and changing their lives.  He said "go and sin no more".  He gave hope to a dying world. He lived among us but never sinned, never deserved to die.  He was willing to endure the horrible death on a Roman cross and to be beaten and spit upon for us.  He felt the pain just like you or I.  Yes, He was God but He was fully man as well while He was on this earth with us.  He knew what He would have to endure and He did it anyway!  When people say "Jesus loves you", think about what He did, yes, indeed, Jesus DOES love you.  It is not just a children's song or a cliche saying...He really does love you.
I felt that love when I came to Him!  He took me from the dark blackness of my life and brought me into His marvelous light.  The feeling of freedom and a changed heart was over-whelming. I still feel His love today and every day!  His mercies are new every morning!!

Friday, October 24, 2014

How can you RESIST

I'm the challenge hostess at Splitcoaststampers today for the Hope you can cling to card drive.  Our techniques for today's challenge is Resist...any kind of resist!
We are resisting cancer, Being Resilient, Shining through, and Coming out on top!
Come join in on the fun and the awesome privilege of doing something GOOD with all your "stuff".  Join us HERE.
I did the stamp and emboss resist on the background and the white crayon resist on the die cut for this card. Stamp is Art Impressions, die is Memory Box and Sentiment is Power Poppies digital.

I did the classic stamp and emboss for this card.  Both the background and the main images. Stamps by Our Daily Bread Designs. Circle die is Little B.

For this card, I did the rub technique.  Take an embossing folder, place your paper on the raised side and rub all over with a white crayon.  Then ink with dye inks and sprays. Folder by Darcies, Die is Elizabeth Craft Designs and Spellbinders.  Stamp is Magnolia.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

DRS Challenge 145 Thankful

Giving thanks!
That is what out challenge is this week!
DRS stamps used: 452L Autumn Flower Spray, 165G Thank you Lord
I started this card my spraying yellow, green and orange Dylusions on a kraft sheet and ran my paper through it being careful not to mix the orange and green (the makes mud). After drying I stamped the sentiment and parts of the Autumn spray top and bottom then border cut with the Spellbinder bracket border.  Cut just the outside border again on orange cardstock and mounted my border cut sentiment onto it. I then stamped the flower spray on another piece of white and dabbed the top into the spray on the kraft sheet. I used Copics to color in Yo2, Y15, Y35, Y38, YR04, YR15 YR18, E30, E24, E27, YG03, YG23, YG25 YG17 I also added some stickles to the flower centers. The sentiment and image were then mounted to black, orange and then to a white card! I made a double bow from my plaid ribbon and attached with glue dot.
Well, I hope to see your cards in the challenge and just a note, there is a prize given each week!
To find the challenge and the other design team card samples, click HERE.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

ODBDSLC216 Scripture Inspiration Challenge

Good morning all!
ODBD stamps used: Poinsettia Ornament, Chickadee Ornament
ODBD dies used: Matting Circles, Ornament Circles, Beautiful Borders
ODBD papers used: Christmas Collection 2013
The inspiration scripture is Ecc. 3:1 "A time for every season"  Well, Christmas, the time we celebrate the birth of Christ is my season for this card.
We celebrate with an abundance of decorations, trees, ornaments, winter flowers (poinsettias), wreaths, garland, candles, gifts...you name it!  My card is displaying a poinsettia ornament.  I hope you will join us for the next two weeks as we make cards inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Please visit my design team sisters for more inspiration:
To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC215 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 4, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.
*The Blessed Season*
To Christians all over the world, this is probably the most important season of all (the only one that may trump Christmas is Easter, when Christ rose again and saved the world, those who would believe). The Poinsettia, also know as the Christmas Star or the Christmas flower is a traditional winter flower that we use at Christmas.  The tradition comes from a Mexican legend of a Christmas miracle, weeds turning into a beautiful red and green flower when they were given as an offering from a poor little girl.
Well, Christmas is the time for miracles! Christ birth was a miracle in itself and everything He did after was miraculous!   Christmas is truly a BLESSED SEASON.
Read about the birth of Christ in Luke 1:1 to Luke 2:20.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

DRS Color Challenge 144



Hello, hope everyone's week is going fantastically!
It's time for a new challenge.
This is a color challenge (see color inspiration below). 



DRS stamps used: 684M Pumpkin Bouquet, Count Your Blessings 915D, Designer Quilt Square 166D
I stamped my pumpkin with flowers on white cardstock then masked it and stamped the 6 quilt squares.  I then colored my images with Copic Markers and added shading to give more dimension. It almost looks like the pumpkin is cut out and popped up. I then added white matting.  My Card base is white with a layer of green and then yellow.  I added my matted image to my card base and added the colorful bow.  (A friend gave me the ribbon and the colors are just right!)  This card was very simple, all I needed extra was masking and a stamp aligner.
This color challenge is really fun because its FALL colors and I am sooo ready for fall!
I hope you will join us HERE and also see the other designer challenge cards.

Robin

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

ODBDSLC215 Anything Goes Week 2

Hello everyone and good morning to you!
May God bless your day!
ODBD stamps used: Wisemen Ornament
ODBD dies used: Fancy Foliage, Peaceful Poinsettia, Matting Circles, Circle Ornaments
I've used part of the new release for October for this card.  The beautiful Wisemen Ornament embossed in gold and layered with gold cardstock with the Matting Circles and the ornament hanger in gold from the same die set.   The gold flourish is from Fancy Foliage and so is the gold pine bough. The pine bough and ornament are popped up on top of a lovely embossed background. Last are the 3 poinsettias cut from the Peaceful Poinsettia die set and formed with a flower tool from behind.  I used gold pearls to center.
Here and there I tucked some metallic gold ribbon in and around the poinsettia and punched white branches and attached half pearls on the cross sections of the background,  I love the all gold and white for this Christmas card!
Please visit my design team sisters for more inspiration:

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC215 or to join the challenge click here. You have until October 19, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. Remember that for this challenge you must use ODBD stamps!! The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.
Go to ODBD on line site for this great sale!



The Baby Jesus
The time for Jesus to be born is coming and the 3 wisemen are on their way to give gifts and to worship.  Do we give our gifts to God to use for His glory? Do we worship at the feet of the King of kings?  Why would these three kings or wisemen come hundred's of miles on camel back to worship this new baby King that was to be born?  Have you ever thought about that? God must have put it in their hearts that this child would change the world.  Is there ANYONE in history who has had more of an impact than Jesus?  What will you do with this Jesus? History has proved His existence, 500 witness saw Him AFTER He was crucified on the Roman cross and place in a tomb. You may WANT to ignore Him or say He does not exist but you will see Him face to face anyway at the end...what then will you say? Read about the 3 wise men in Matthew 2.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

DRS Challenge 143- Food

Good morning and happy Thursday! New challenge day!
DRS new release stamps used: Indian corn 151H, Thanksgiving Blessings 637E
Because this is also a color challenge and a sketch challenge it may be a bit unusual.
 I LOVE purple and yellow or orange together  It is perfectly nature in it's best! Have you ever seen a field of California poppies and lupine growing together?  Most beautiful sight ever! Well this is Indian Corn.  It has (usually) multiple colors of corn kernels which makes it a great Food to dry and decorate the house or door for the fall holidays.
My background is a combination of embossing folders.  For the sentiment I masked off the Thanksgiving (because it's not a Thanksgiving card) and just stamped the Blessings.
To find this challenge and join in the fun plus see all the other designer samples, click HERE.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Repeat Impressions-Winter Magic

Hi, good morning!! I'm the guest artist today for Repeat Impressions, The House that Stamps Built. The theme for this week is Winter!




Repeat Impression stamps used: Chickadee at Rest- 211P
                                                            Wishing You a Season- 424G
Shop here
Other: Spellbinders dies, Stickles-Star Dust, Ribbon, Sky Blue Brilliance Ink for edging.
Click HERE to find Repeat Impression's blog site.

I love winter!! I love snow and cold weather, frost and snowmen! I love the warm woodstove, the hot chocolate and fleece scarves!! There is nothing better than crisp, clean, cold air in the morning with  sparkling frost all around twinkling in the morning sunlight!  Birds fluffy on their perches just starting to sing.  That is what this image brings to mind! I adore Chickadees so I HAD to pick this image for my winter card!  The sentiment is fun too because you could use it for any winter event, it is not specific to Christmas BUT it could also be used for Christmas.. Yes mom, I'd like this stamp set in my stocking please!
I can't wait to see all the winter cards you come up with...Happy stamping!
Thank you Repeat Impressions (Wendy Wyman) for this opportunity to be your guest artist!  It has been so fun!
Blessings,
Robin

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

ODBDSLC215-Anything Goes Week 1


Hello all, This week's challenge is Anything Goes so I decided to do the Bendi Fold Card with some of Our Daily Bread Design's wonderful ocean stamps.  I love these Bendi Fold cards, in this case it looks like a total panoramic scene.




The Waves of the Sea, Happy Retirement
One of the tricks to this card was to measure how high the shore line was starting with a main image and measuring where the sea line is and making sure it stays the same through out.  I drew a few sea lines in to extrend the image and extended some rocks and distant land to "finish' the scene for this card otherwise (while open, left side) the rocks would be cut in half. I just did a little ink with a fine tip Copic Black and some cross hatching to blend them in as I AM NOT the drawing artist that some others are.  Figuring out where to put each stamp was trial and error as some stamps might put the land stopping in the sea...I hope you get my point.   This card took 5 sets, each are awesome on their own.  I love each one and putting them together was just frosting on the cake!  It can all be made with 1/2 sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock.  I will add some more directions below.

Please visit my talented design team sisters to see more of what you can do for this challenge.
Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen (team leader) * Diana Nguyen *
DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC215 or to join the challenge click here. You have until October 19, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. Remember that for this challenge you must use ODBD stamps!! The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Hebrews 6:19-20 says "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil...the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever...
This verse reminds me of a fantastic song by Hillsong called "Cornerstone"
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus name.  Christ alone; cornerstone, weak made strong; in the saviors love, through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.  When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace, In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
There is one more verse but this is the part of the song that I just love. I love all the parts of Jesus life that took place at the sea or on the sea and the pictures of life He painted for us using the sea and other everyday things. He was a master at explaining the Kingdom and living for God through everyday things that everyone around Him understood.  I am going to strive to live according to His word even more each day! Standing up for what's right but showing love and forgiveness and trying to show other people God's love and to be kind and gentle.

Instructions for the Bendi Fold Card
Take one piece of cardstock 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 and cut the 8 1/2 " side at 4 1/4".  Take one piece and cut it at 2 1/2" now you have the two flap sides.  Score the inside edge of each (left on one side and right on the other) at 1/2"> This will be where you attach to back of main body of card.  Use Score Tape or Red Line Tape to make sure it stay when opening and closing multiple times.  The two side flaps will also be cut to match your needs adjusting to the stamps you use. On the opposite side of both flaps lightly draw a line at 1/4" and make your own tabs, about 3/4" long.  Ok, now make a light line at 4" from left side on you main panel and on your left side flap, make a light line 2" from the scored side. Now you need to line up the bottom of you main panel and the left flap. make a mark top and bottom of your tab then cut between the marks with your craft knife.  Match up bottoms on right flap with left flap and make your marks just like before.  Now when you put your card together the left flap tab inserts into the main panel and the right flap tab inserts into the left flap. (see photo above).  That is the instructions for the basic Bendi-Fold Card...now you can decorate how ever you like and make changes as needed.

Monday, October 6, 2014

ODBD-Happy Birthday To Kelley

Happy Birthday dear Kelley, 
happy birthday to you!!
ODBD stamps used:  Doily Blessings, My Friend
ODBD dies used: Beautiful Borders, Vintage Labels, Fancy Foliage, Doily
ODBD paper: Blushing Rose
Extra ingredients: Sheer ribbon, lace, tag, foam tape,  embroidery floss, Tea Stain Distress ink, Copic Markers.

Welcome to  Our Daily Bread Designs Birthday Blog Hop, celebrating Kelley's
Birthday! If you arrived here from Elizabeth's blog, you are in
the right place, if not, you might want to start at the ODBD Blog and hop from
there.  This is a surprise for Kelley, we hope!! It is the day BEFORE her actual birthday...aren't we tricky? 
Chris
 Lisa
Sandee
 Grace
 Wanda
Elizabeth
                       Robin (you are here)
 Paula
 Linda
Angie
Cathy
 Silke
Dawn
 Diana
 Sabrina
 Cheryl
 I hope your birthday will be blessed Kelley!  We all love you and your wonderful company, Our Daily Bread Designs!!
For those who don't know, Our Daily Bread Designs started in March of 2008.  Starting from very small and growing into a hugely popular company now in 2014!  



Designers Blog Hop

I am so thrilled today to be sharing this honor with you all!  First I have to talk about the one who nominated me for this honor, Chris Olsen of Our Daily Bread Designs.  She is the team leader for the challenge design team and is an awesome inspiration to me!!  The two of us were also on the Dirty Dozen at the same time for a couple months.   It blew me away when she asked me!!  She is probably the number one reason I have improved my card making 100%.  She is a person of detail.  I thought I was, but not like Chris.
I am happy to say that because of her inspiration and influence, I am more detailed with each layer and each card.  Here are two of the many BEAUTIFUL cards that Chris has created.
This is such a beautiful card, one of my favorites because I love the sea stamps. Her colors are just wonderful and I love the dies and the card style too!
Chris is so sweet, she always encourages us in everything we do at ODBD.  She makes me feel valued.  She is also one of the best card artist around. Each layer is stitched or embossed or matted and embellished in a number of ways.  I've never seen one yet that looked like something was missing!! For Chris to nominate me was amazing!
The other part of this Designer Blog Hop is to answer a few questions, so here we go.
1. What am I working on right now?
I am always creating new cards for Our Daily Bread Designs and also for DRS Designs, two of the companies that I design for but right now, at the same time...I am designing cards for the Hope You Can Cling To challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  This all keeps me VERY busy.  My family probably wonders if I even live here anymore...I'm always in my craft room!
This is a card I did for the first day of challenges, paper tole.

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?
I don't feel like my work is much different from other people's.  I am always striving to improve what I do but I like to do so many different styles.  I like trying new things and then teaching others to do it too.  One difference might be layers, I love layers, love dies, love ribbon...I just can't seem to do "plain" cards.  Even when I try, they always end up with stuff!

3. Why do I create what I do?
I have to create! That is what I was born doing...thanks in a big way to my mother, who was always doing the newest craft and was a fabulous artist in watercolor and oils.  I feel frustrated and (probably a mad mood) when I can not create.  I think that is when the not nice side of me comes out!! LOL!  I love creating for my blog post because I feel like it is a way to share God's creation and love,  I can share my faith through my blog.  Since I design for Our Daily Bread Designs I get to use godly images and scripture or uplifting sentiments on my cards.  
DRS also has many wonderful stamps that I love using for my blog post and sharing my faith.
4. How does my creative process work?
I usually start with an image.  I die cut it to the desired shape and color it, then decide whether I want to use decorative paper with it or fancy die cut frames.  Occasionally I will pick out some decorative paper first and then find an image to go or that I can color to go with it.  I don't usually do that but once in a while if I have paper that I REALLY want to use I will.  
I lot of times I start with the challenge given.  This takes thought which is usually the longest part of my creating.  I LOVE to do sketch challenges, I feel like a lot of the thinking is already done for me.  I have books in my craft room for birds, butterflies, trees, flowers and animals.  I refer to them often when I want to color a bird or animal realistically.  I take a few more liberties with butterflies and flowers but I do refer to them occasionally for those too.


Now on to the fun part, nominating another one of my favorite artist and she just happens to design for Our Daily Bread Designs as well.
Introducing...
Sandee Shanabrough of Simply Southern Sandee

Sandee is the newest member of the Dirty Dozen but she has been designing for Our Daily Bread Designs since 2009.  She also designs for North Coast Creations, since it's beginning. She is a southern girl from Georgia and her southern ways shine as Sandee is one of the sweetest gals I know.  We have lately become great Facebook friends.  Sandee also love photography which must be another reason why I love this lady!  Those of you who know me, know that was and is a great passion of mine as well.  Here is a sample of Sandee's beautiful creations, pure elegance!

I hope someday I will be able to meet Sandee in person!!
A link to her gallery at Splitcoaststampers is HERE.

This next person doesn't have a blog so she can't participate in that part but she is a great inspiration to me and I wanted you all to know her work.  She is known as Susie Australia at Splitcoaststampers.  Susie is so full of life that I get as much pleasure from reading her descriptions as I do looking at her mixed media masterpieces.  This is Susie's link to her gallery, click HERE.
Susie is from Australia, of course...another person I want to meet in person! She is one of the funniest people I know! She has such a way of explaining her "mishaps" in the craft room that I tend to frequently laugh out loud!!
Here is a sample of her work.

I love Chris, Sandee and Susie, they are such an inspiration to me.  I hope you will stop by their galleries at SCS and Sandee's blog post on Oct. 13th to read more about her and see who she nominates.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!! 
Blessings,
Robin





Thursday, October 2, 2014

DRS challenge 142-Hot Trends-Twine

Hello everyone, hope you are having a terrific week!!
DRS stamps used: 1004F Triple Holly, 220L Bubble Candle Oval, 520D Sm. Merry Christmas
Love this stamp! I've made my bubbles into baubles instead and used a variety of pretty Christmas colors to make them festive!  My sister, Vicki, decorates with round ornaments and candles all the time so this is why I've colored the bubbles to look like ornaments, I just see it that way!
I've used a combination of  dies from Spellbinders and Chery Lynn.  And, of course, Baker's Twine.
To join in or to see the other designer samples, click HERE.