Thursday, January 31, 2013

Growing Old is Mandatory - STB 4

Hello Delightful friends and family!!
It's time for another masculine card for the Seize the Birthday Challenge Blog.  I was so excited to see that I had won the "Birthday Honours" badge for my last card using this same sketch. Thank you  to the Design Team for the honor!!
 
 I chose Gus from Bugaboo Digi Stamps for this weeks masculine card.  It's always a challenge to find masculine embellies but I used my Spellbinder Nestabilities Hexagons (the smallest size and it also coordinates with the shape I've used for my image!), I cut out two and then inked the edges with Distress Inks (Peeled Paint and Salty Ocean) then added a button and the hemp cord I colored with a Copic Marker (BG96-bush).  Another added element is the Glossy Accents I added to Gus' glasses and the tiny yellow headlights.  I love the Authentique Paper (Collection: Loyal) it's perfect for a masculine card.  Bazzill card stock is used for the base and the first layer.  Neenah Bright white card stock is used for the image and sentiment. I've colored Gus with my Copic markers.
The finished size is A2.
 
 

 Can you see the Glossy Accents on the glasses?
 
 Ha! Love this funny sentiment, I have a list of guys I could send this too! (*wink**wink*)
 
Other ingredients used:  My Favorite Things Die-namics Fishtale Flags Stax; Distress Inks, Weathered Wood and Mowed Lawn; Darice Hemp cording; Button (Making Memories)
 
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
 
Today's Scripture verse I'd like to share is:
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world---our faith.  1 John 5:3-4
 
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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Tea-riffic Birthday Card - STB #3

Happy Thursday to my Delightful friends and family!
Hope your day is going well. My little grandkids are home sick today, which makes me sad that they are feeling so bad.  But that means I have a day to clean house or play in my craft room.  Which I have done both! So there, you can't judge me (right?? ha!)  I have to confess I've spent more hours playing than cleaning.  My pastor hubs went out to lunch with a sweet elderly lady from church while I had to stick around for the furnace repair man to come and clean the furnace and the appointment had already been rescheduled once so I didn't want to reschedule again!  Which is ok, more time to play, oops! I mean clean.  I'll make this post quick so I can get back to my "chores"  ;-) You'll have to figure out what that means! 
 
Here is the birthday challenge sketch from Seize the Birthday (#3):
 
 

  Love this new stamp and die set called Tea-riffic from Taylored Expressions.  I used the Echo Park paper (This & That collection) for the paper piecing as well as the coordinating front panels and hearts.
 
  I've paper pieced two of the cups and colored with  Copics the other two.  I  matched up the paper piecing and copic coloring on the sentiment image, too.
 
Other Ingredients:  Bazzill  and Neenah card stock, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Spellbinder Nestabilities Scallop Circle and Standard Circle; My Favorite Things Die-Namics Fishtail Flag Stax; Heart punch; Want 2 Scrap Adhesive pearls.
 
Well, that's all for me today.  I guess it's back to the house cleaning ;-)
 
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.  Proverbs 21:3
 
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Monday, January 21, 2013

Birthday Card - masculine (STB#2)

Hello Delightful friends and family!
Hope you all had a great weekend.  We had a super busy week and weekend. I was helping organize a fundraising dinner, mainly doing all the before the event responsibilities and organizing it, so that I could leave and help my oldest daughter pack and get ready to move her belongings back to our area from Chico, where she had rented a house and lived part-time while working here. Whew, that was a long sentence and probably not very grammatically correct! Oh well, I'm sure you can overlook my sentence structure!   After all, you are here to see a card!
 
Here's the sketch challenge and the card must be a masculine birthday card (no exceptions!)
Be sure and check out the Seize the Birthday Blog for sketch 2!!
 
 

 
Here are the ingredients:  Designer Paper: Authentique (Original Collection); Stamp: Taylored Expressions (Jesse - Moka Collection) ; TE Label Die; Ink: Memento Nautical blue; Distress Ink, Stormy Weather;  Bazzill Card Stock; Zig Pen, coffee; Tim Holtz Hinge Clip; Heidi Swapp Edge Distresser.  Sorry the picture isn't the greatest, it's night and I normally take the photo outside and I won't be able to in the morning due to my work schedule.
 
Thanks so much for looking!!
 
To Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21
 
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Friday, January 11, 2013

Hey Sassy Pants, Happy Birthday! (STB 1)

Hello Delightful friends and family from a very wet and cold northern California!  Brrr, the wind off the ocean and the snow in the mountains makes for a very damp and cold afternoon!  Wish I could just stay in all day but duty calls!  Had to go pick up my grandson Jakob from school, then to the post office, later on it will be a trip to Costco!  Not looking forward to that at all.  In the meantime, I was able to play along with a new challenge site and get a birthday card finished up that I started last night.  Yeah!!
Here is the link to the new challenge blog (well, new to me) called Seize the Birthday.  And a fun sketch for this weeks challenge. In a nutshell, there are two sketches per month and the first week you make a feminine card, the second week a masculine card but they have to be birthday cards.  Be sure and head over there to get all the details!  I need to "beef" up my masculine card collection so this challenge sounds ideal for me!




 
Ingredients:  Stamps: My Favorite Things ( Pure Innocence, Cute-a-tude); Taylored Expressions (Many Minis - Occasions set of 20 - HBD and Wish Big)
Designer Paper: Crate Paper (Fourteen)
Card Stock: Bazzill
Copic Markers
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Love Letter
Ranger Liquid Pearls
American Crafts: Ribbon and Glitter Buttons
Dies: Taylored Expression (In the Bag - label on front)
Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Ovals
Cuttlebug
Zots, EK Success 3-D dimensionals
 
Well, that is it for me.  Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!
 
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Happy Birthday, Sean! - Moka Tim (Taylored Expressions)

 Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

I'm posting this really late and I'd feel bad if my son read my blog which I'm 99.9% sure he does not!  So, I guess that means I don't really feel "bad" especially since I already wished him a Happy Birthday.  He actually had a road trip over the mountain to Redding, CA today (Wednesday the 9th) to take his wife Amy to the dentist.  Three hour drive to visit the dentist, definitely not my idea of a fun day for either of them! But it's one of those needful things.  Just means he has to wait a day to get his birthday present and card from us.

 Here is the card I made him.  I had fun coming up with just the right embellishment to fit.  Sean's a building contractor so when I saw this stamp at Taylored Expressions (Tim - Moka Collection), I just had to have it!
Normally,  I prefer to take my pictures outside during the day but tomorrow is going to be a busy day and I wanted to get this posted tonight (even though now I see it's after midnight!!)  So I apologize that it's not the greatest, but will have to do. 


 Here's my birthday boy helping his youngest daughter (Tucker) open her Christmas gifts.  Big sister Riley was at home sick with the flu on Christmas morning :-(

I fell in love with this paper by Authentique "Original" collection. I knew it would have to be used for a masculine card.  At Scrapper's Edge, Sondra will be doing a 2 page scrapbook layout using this collection of designer paper.  I've seen her samples and I LOVE them. She has a sample on the store website but it's too small to appreciate it. The class is Jan 31 if you are in the Eureka area you should sign up for the class!  Back to the card description....
 I've used Bazzill  kraft card stock for the base and Copic markers to color.  The dies I've used are from Spellbinders (circle nestabilities); My Favorite Things (Die-Namics Fishtale Flag STAX and Notched border).  Sizzix Embossing Folder (wood grain) was used on the kraft c/s that frames out the image.  I did fussy cut the image out.  How do you like my embellies?  They are from my hubbies wood shop and I've glued them down with Glossy Accents.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is also from Taylored Expressions (Make a Wish set).  I've use Distress Ink: Weathered Wood to stamp the sentiment, hammer & pliers and also to blend over the dry embossed circle.
Be sure and check out all the pieces in the Authentique "Original Collection, LOVE IT!  I only wish I had it in the 6x6 bundle instead of the 12x12 sheets. I just may see if my boss will order it for the store! 

Thanks for visiting and putting up with my ramblings, it must be late!!

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.  Psalm 50:14-15



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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Season of Love Class WINNER

  Hello Delightful friends and family!

Random(dot).ADDY (aka my little princess Addy or attitude Addy depending on the day!!) helped me pick a winner for the Season of Love class to start tomorrow with Cindy Coutts.  The winner is JENNIFER  at My Cubby Crafts!!!!! Congratulations Jennifer!!

 Random (dot) ADDY
 
 
 Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselor.  Psalms 119:24

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Sunday, January 6, 2013

More thank you's

Hello Delightful friends and family!
I have three more thank you cards to share.  I think I have two more and I'll be finished for the time being.  I'm always in need of thank you cards aren't you?  I got to my craft room yesterday afternoon after doing a couple of loads of laundry and the general "pick-up" of the house.  Although I confess, the Christmas décor didn't yell quite loud enough for me to put them all away!  Or maybe I just tuned them out by turning KLOVE up on high!   

 
 I just love Cocoa from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps!  This set is called Cocoa's Latte.  I've paper pieced the container with Cosmo Cricket's Tea For Two.  The ribbon is from one of the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient kit and I've also use a TE Die (Scallop border).  I've framed out the image using the Spellbinder Nestabilities Label die.  The Copics used are: G000, G40, G43; R000, R00, R01; N0; E04, E11, E13, E15, E37

 
 Inside sentiment using Archival Ink Coffee (of course!)  I've also used the Die-Namics Fishtale Flags STAX from My Favorite Things.  Bazzill and Neenah card stock were used.
 
 
 
 Here is a CAS card and I used the resist emboss technique using Gloss Card Stock Paper (Ranger - Inkessentials), Versamark, Distress Ink, Picked Raspberry (Ranger).  The heart stamp is from the Unity Ippity Devoted set (one of my favs!)  The base of the card is Neenah card stock and I've also used Bazzill (raven)
 
Inside of the card: I stamped the sentiment from a left over piece from the Gloss Paper and punched out the heart using a Marvy Uchida scallop heart punch, then adhered it to a piece of the Bazzill c/s.  Sentiment is a Taylored Expressions stamp ( Buddy Bear set) using Stazon Jet Black ink.
 
 
This card I CASE'd from Danielle Daws card HERE.  Her card is gorgeous  and mine doesn't hold a candle to it!!  She has some awesome video tutorials, too.
  I definitely need a bit of practice with the ink blending and masking technique.
 I used the Ranger Masking sheet to cut out the circle using a Spellbinder Nestie Circle. Once I finished blending ink into the circle, I splattered water on the ink, hoping some of the lighter colors would come through.  I wasn't sure what kind of reaction or design I would get and I think I would liked it better if it was a bit more subtle. (it would have helped if I had my glasses on and saw how many drops of water were splattered!)  But for my first attempt I shouldn't complain!  The stamp I've used is from Unity (The Simple Things).  Distress Inks used:  Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Spiced Marmalade.  Memento tuxedo black ink was used to stamp the image and sentiment.  I've added a little shimmery to the image by using a clear and gold Spica Pen.  Neenah white c/s for the base, Bazzill black and My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found) are the other papers used.

 I stamped off the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The sentiment is PTI (Thank you in and out set).
 
Thanks for hanging through this long post!! 
 
Be sure and check out my post for the  Season of Love classes, if you leave a comment your name will go in a random drawing for the classes.  The value is $24.95 for the two week session of classes and continued access to the class and videos. The drawing will be held on January 9th
 
 
 For more information visit Cindy's Blog
 
 
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  Romans 15:4 (KJV)



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Saturday, January 5, 2013

Thank you!

Hello Delightful friends and family and happy weekend to all of you! 
 I'm not sure if it's blogger or my lack of "tech" sense tonight but I'm sure having a difficult time uploading pictures onto my blog.  I finally just gave up and did a restart to see if that would work!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!! (ha!) 
 I just wanted to share a couple of thank you cards I've made and pass on that I've purchased the Paper Crafts 75 Creative Card Challenges magazine and boy was there some great card designs!  Today has been the day to be inspired, I was checking out some of the blogs I follow and found some cool techniques I want to try.  So, taking my gift card (Christmas gift from one of my daughters) to Scrapper's Edge (where I also work, but not today!) I purchased some glossy paper and two more delicious colors of Distress Ink for a future project.  Pretty nice I didn't have to spend a penny! 
 
 Well, the restart worked I guess I'm more tech savvy than I thought! :-)
 
 
Ingredients: Designer Paper: Fancy Pants (Country Boutique) Bazzill and Neenah card stock; Ink: Memento tuxedo black; Stamp: PTI (thank you inside and out); Ribbon: Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient kit; Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The design is from a card  I CASE'd, which is pinned on my Cards and Tags board at Pinterest.
 
My second card is CAS and I used a resist emboss technique.  The stamps: Taylored Expressions (Make a Wish and Falling For You); Ink: Ranger  Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry) and Memento Tuxedo Black; Ribbon (my stash); Queen & Co Washi Tape and wood heart from a TE Key Ingredient Kit; Tsukineko Versamark Ink and clear embossing powder (Ranger); Ace Hardware Masking Tape;  Neenah bright white card stock is my base.  My picture is on the dark side, I took it outside to photograph, it seems to be more true to the colors when I do.  But this photo really doesn't do it justice, I think it's much nicer in person.  If and when I do this again I'd like to see the sentiment down just a bit, but for a CAS card I was pretty happy, especially when it's way out of my comfort zone! I'm not used to so much white space.

So I did just get a little notice from blogger that there are errors happening (duh!) I just lost my signature!  Oh well, I'm not starting over and my new computer doesn't have the graphic saved to it so I'm just going to have to leave it off this post. It's getting late and I need to get to bed so I can get up early and play ;-)  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. I'm looking forward getting in to my craft room and I'm going to try and  ignore the Christmas decorations that really need to be put away....where are those elves when we really need them?

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.   2 Corinthians 8:9



Blessings to you!!
 
Natalie
 (minus my cute little signature that Nina B made me)

 
 
 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Win a "Season Of Love" Online Class!

Hello  and welcome to my Delightful Friends and Family and Happy New Year!  Can you believe it,  2013 is here!!

 Just a quick announcement that I am guest designing for one of Cindy Coutts Designs Online Card Classes. This class is called Season of Love and it's not just Valentine's Day cards and projects, although we will have that for you, too. There are many ways to express love through friendship, encouragement, thinking of you, fun projects for kids and to make with your kids, wedding, engagements, anniversary and "just because".

The class runs during the week from January 10-24, 2013. We will be covering all of the above and creating some really fun projects together and I hope that you will join me! This is strictly a work from your own stash concept; however, we will have many vendor discounts exclusive to you. There are daily prizes for participants, a class message board and gallery. Our grand prize is a Big Shot with a few other big ticket prizes along the way too!

From now until January 8, if you leave a comment on my blog and wear the Season of Love Badge on your blog linking back to cindycoutts.com, I will randomly draw a name and you could win this class for free! The winner will be announced on January 9. Be sure to leave a comment and tell your friends, and I will see you in class!



 
Thanks for visiting and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win this class for free!!!
Winner announced on January 9th!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!  Give thanks to Him; Bless His name.    Psalm 100:4



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