Finally Tag Tuesday #27

I just love the color combo of Red, Green and Golden Yellow, it's so traditional Christmas-y!! I finally found some time to finish a tag or two. I have enjoyed seeing how everyone used this combo all week, what an extraordinary group of artists who participate in Louise's Tag Tuesday Challenge.

 

Thanks so much for your comments, your kindness is such a wonderful blessing!

Thought for the Day:Matthew 1:21 "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Advent Blessings to you!

Nancy

Creating New Traditions

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and cherished friends, good food and happy moments. As my boys are grown and Andy is married now we are staying home for Thanksgiving and creating traditions with our own little family. This year we had Ben home with us for the first time in 5 years. He has either been in boot camp, deployed or training in another part of the world every year since he entered the Marine Corps. I decided to let him choose the menu this year, so we had ham instead of turkey.

I usually make placecards for the large Thanksgiving gatherings at my sister's so this year I made placecards too. Because there were only seven of us (my niece and her boyfriend were last minute additions) I made nameless placecards. I stamped a Hero Arts sentiment on each and asked each one to try to pick the one selected for them. It was fun to watch them walk around the table debating and consulting with each other. This may be a new tradition.  After our meal we gathered in the family room to watch "The Princess Bride" a classic movie that is a family favorite.

Some of you may remember photos of my old crafting space in which I used my old dining table as a work table. It was painted white with a light colored butcher block style top, very country style.  We had planned to purchase a new dining table and chairs this year, but we figure at least one of us should be gainfully employed before that happens. So with a little paint, stain and sealer (not to mention the hubs' mad wood working skills) this is the "new" dining set, reworked for 2009.

Everything white was painted black to match the kitchen counter tops and the wood was stained a beautiful light cherry color to match the new kitchen cabinets. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Thought for the Day: Continuing to look forward to Christmas....from Isaiah 53:6

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way; and the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all."  One can't fully celebrate the joy of Christmas without acknowledging the reality of the Cross.

Blessings to All,

Love Nancy

Two more Trimming Cards for Hero Arts Challenge

I had just enough time to throw together 2 more cards out the scraps, trimmings and stamps on my workbench.
I found another oldie but goodie Hero Arts Christmas stamp from 1991. This is the Merry Christmas with Lights Garland D124. I've always loved to color in the lights and letters.

This next card is based on the Thank You card I made awhile back with black and white ribbon. Here I used poinsettias from the HA clear set Decorate Your Own stamped in Fired Brick Distress ink to bring in the color, along with the felt poinsettia.

 

Thought for the Day: In preparing my heart to celebrate Christmas, I like to start at the beginning, with God and His love for the people He created in His image. We were separated from God by our sin but His plan was to redeem us through Jesus Christ, His Son.
1 John 4:9-10 God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the World so that we might have eternal life through Him.  This is real love- not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Blessings to You!
Nancy

Hero Arts 2010 Launch Party Open House!!!

For those of you who are Hero Arts fans in the Southern California area, specifically Orange County, I've got an invitation for you from Stamp Fever, your local stamp store in Orange.

I hope to see you there!!

Vintage Hero Arts Stamp

The multi-talented and oh so sweet Lucy Abrams has started a new challenge on her delightful blog and since I am such a fan of hers, I was very interested in joining in on the fun. Her Challenge #1 is a Color Challenge, these colors were so far outside my comfort zone that I just had to go for it. I am also a traditional Christmas color person too, so to make a Christmas card with Light Pink, Aqua and Kraft was a really fun way to challenge myself.  This is my submission for Lucy's Cards-Challenge 1 Colour.

That color scheme made me think of 1980s colors and the sweet country style so popular then. I've been wanting to use the precious old Hero Arts Country Christmas Tree stamp again so the plan was hatched.
I stamped the image on Kraft cs, and Light Pink and Aqua patterned papers and also on white cs. After about an hour of cutting, gluing assembling and reassembling (you know you do it too) this was the result. You know I rarely use cute animals on my cards so adding the cat was a big deal; she just sort of goes though doesn't she? I have to say I think I really like this.

Stamps and Supplies Used: Hero Arts Stamps-Country Christmas Tree H111; Dot Pattern E2097 from the Textures and Patterns Poetic Prints set LL635; Clear Design set Decorate Your Own CL366.

Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions ML-7008FUM. Martha Stewart punch; Cream colored embroidery floss; Ranger Frosted Lace Stickles; patterned paper Aqua-K&Co. Que Sera Sera collection, pink-unknown.

 Thought for the Day: Dealing with fears that seem to be mounting in spite of my best efforts, I am strengthened by God's Word found here:

Micah 7:8 When I sit in darkness; the Lord will be a light to me

Psalms 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

Have a wonderful day!

Nancy

 

Brown, Pink and Burgundy Tag

Just a quick post to play along with the Tag Tuesday Challenge to use Jacqueline's favorite color scheme. You can find Tag Tuesday at Kard Krazy.
I used an image from the Graphics Fairy.   I also used another bit of paper from Jacqueline, it seemed appropriate to include it on a tag inspired by her color scheme.

Thought for the Day: From the Life Application Bible a Model for Praying for Christians according to Colossians.

1-Be thankful for their faith and changed life (1:3)

2-Ask God to help them know His will (1:9)

3-Ask God to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding (1:9)

4-Ask God to help them live to honor and please Him (1:10)

5-Ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself (1:10)

6-Ask God to give them strength for endurance and patience (1:11)

7-Ask God to fill them with joy and thankfulness (1:11,12)

I keep this list handy for quick reference when praying for family and friends.

Have a blessed day filled with joy and thankfulness!

Nancy

Happy Monday!

I've been working on a little Christmas tree ornament using an image from The Graphics Fairy. I appreciate Karen for finding all this vintage wonderfulness and then sharing it with the masses. I found this charming Poinsettia girl and thought she would make a lovely vintage decoration.

 
This ornament is a 3" layered circle. I stamped the top part with Hero Arts Poinsettia Circle Cling in Fired Brick Distress ink, and on the bottom I stamped Old Letter Writing in Vintage Photo. Then I distressed around the edges with Vintage Photo, added the thin brown ribbon and then attached the circle to the scalloped circle. I re-sized the image in Microsoft Publisher and reduced the brightness a bit. After printing on white cardstock and cutting it out I covered the image with VersaMark watermark ink and clear embossed 3 times to give it a shiny finish. Then it was adhered to the ornament base. I punched a hole in the top and used gold thread for a hanger. The final finishing touch was a little Gold Stickles on the poinsettia centers.
The paper that I used as a background in the photo was custom made using images from The Graphics Fairy.
 


Thought for the Day:
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person; the old life is gone, a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17

Glittery Christmas Collage

I am so happy to be the subject of the Inspired by...blog this week. Jill does a wonderful job of showcasing  work that has inspired her and shows the creative result of that inspiration. To say that I'm honored to be her inspiration is a major understatement. Please check out the work of this very talented stamp artist.

 

(click on photos to see detail)

On Monday when I read that the Hero Arts challenge this week was to use glitter, I immediately thought of my mom making glittery Christmas decorations way back in the 60s. She used a lot of felt and a lot of glitter and ideas from magazines. I just remember our house was always decorated so festively and on a shoe string too!  This Christmas collage is my homage to my mom and to her creativity. This is my 31st Christmas without her. Making this brought back some wonderful memories.

I've been working on this for the last few days and needless to say, I'm covered with glitter, my craft space is sparkly and my little furry helpers are mighty festive too!

I used K&Company Specialty Papers on this.  I also did some stamping resist with the Antique Brocade Cling from Hero Arts and some Distress Ink in Peeled Paint, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo and Weathered Wood. The banner started with cream cardstock stamped with Old Letter Writing in Caramel Adirondack ink. I arranged Tim Holtz' alpha masks and sprayed with Adirondack Color Wash in Raisin. Then it was Fun with Glitter time!

I used Martha Stewart glue pen and glue pad to stamp the ornaments and pine bough from the clear set Decorate your Own by Hero Arts, then I glittered away the hours. I finished by stamping some of my all time favorite Christmas sentiment stamps and my most cherished Reindeer Pull-Toy stamp. It is from a little company called Biz-Art run by a dear friend and his sister. Together they designed all the fun and quirky stamps. Unfortunately Biz-Art is no longer in business.

I'm hoping that this collage will become a yearly decoration and that it will always remind me of the happy celebrations of my childhood.

Thought for the Day: From Proverbs 14:26- In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.

Have a blessed day,

Nancy

Thanksgiving Day 12

Here's a couple cards I've made recently. They are for the Hero Arts Challenge to use glitter on a project. I just couldn't bring myself to use a lot of glitter so it's pretty subtle.

This first one just has some black Stickles on the flower centers. The black flowered ribbon also has glitter, but it came that way. I used Hero Arts Silhouette Flower Cling and the Frames and Messages clear set.

I wanted to keep this card clean so the glitter is just on one flower. The leaf stamp is from HA Share Laughter clear set and the flower is from Autumn Leaves. The sentiment is computer generated using WordArt in Publisher. The pearls are from Kaisercraft.

Thought for the Day: Day 12 of my 30 days of Thanksgiving!

Today I'm thankful for Sunday School teachers, AWANA leaders, Youth Pastors, Christian camp counselors and all others who give their time to reach and teach children. I'm thankful for the way my family has been blessed by these ministries.

I learned about Jesus at a very young age probably around 3, in Sunday School. I can't remember a time when I didn't believe in Jesus as my Savior. My public profession of faith in Christ came when I was 8 years old. My husband Al, grew up in the church and his family faithfully attended their Lutheran church. He was in his teens when he received salvation in Christ at a youth retreat.

When our boys were young we were members of a Bible believing church with a thriving Sunday School and AWANA program. Al and I were AWANA leaders and both Andy and Ben prayed to receive Jesus when each was 5 years old, with their sweet AWANA Sparks leader, Candice. As they grew up they were involved in youth groups at our church. They went to summer camp at Hume Lake Christian Camps where their faith grew and solidified. Andy went on to work at Hume and it is there that he met his sweet wife, Kellie.

I am thankful to God for the many faithful Sunday School teachers, youth pastors, AWANA leaders, Christian camp counselors, and all those bringing the Gospel to children, not just for how my family has been blessed but also for the ongoing ministry of bringing Jesus Christ to the children of the world.

1 Cor 6:11  "You were cleansed, you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Romans 10:14  "But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?"

Have a blessed day!
Nancy

Tag Tuesday and a blog award!

Sweet Jill over at Inspired by has so generously given me this fun blog award.

I'm so honored that my humble little blog makes her smile! I must now share 5 things about myself and then send this award on to 5 bloggers who make me smile, so here goes....

1. After 31 years of marriage I'm planning just my 3rd Thanksgiving dinner at my house. My sister has decided to hand over the gravy ladle to me.

2. I studied Dance in college and used that to choreograph and direct musicals at the Christian school where I worked for 15 years.

3. Now that my son is a former Marine and staying with us, I worry about him being out late.

4. I need a "Blogging 101" course...still so much to learn.

5. I took a Photoshop class at the local JC, earned an A and still can't use Photoshop.

And now for the bloggers who make me smile:

Virginia

Suzanne

Sanne

Ivy

Shawnte

Check out these lovely blogs and leave them some comment love.

And now for Tag Tuesday. The theme this week at Kard Krazy is to use a photograph on a tag.

I used a photo of my grandmother (on the left) and her sisters taken in 1910. I also used some more of the lovely scraps from Jacqueline, hoping to get some of her vintage feminine style for this tag. The doorway is from the Graphics Fairy, I altered it to fit my purpose.

Thought for the day: When I start to get worried about circumstances beyond my control I try to remember this truth from Psalm 62

Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

May you receive blessings from God today!

Nancy

I'm on the Red Carpet at SCAT

Can you believe it, I have been interviewed over on SCAT "scrapbook creations around town". Shawnte has posted my Thanksgiving Family Caricature Card on her blog along with the interview. Check her blog for a great Hero Arts stamp set giveaway!

Here's what I've been working on today.

It's a birthday card for my lovely sister in law, Carol. It marks my 1 year anniversary as a member of the Hero Arts flickr pool. My card for Carol last year was my first ever upload and was I a nervous wreck. I shouldn't have been because the wonderful folk at Hero Arts pool welcomed me warmly and I've been swimming happily in the pool ever since. Thanks so much.

Card supplies:
Hero Arts Cling "Write Your Own" and Clear Set Birthday Messages
Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Mini Deck, and Border Sheet
K&Company Wild Saffron Adhesive Paper Ribbon
Hero Arts Flower
Ribbon from Michael's
Distress Ink-Fired Brick
Ranger Adirondack Dye Ink-Stream

Thought for the Day: from Isaiah 26:3 (my paraphrase) "You will keep in perfect peace all who focus on You, because they trust in You!"  I'm still peacefully trusting in God for my future. I appreciate your prayers as I look for a new job.

Have a blessed day!

Look in the sidebar for my 30 Days of Thanksgiving List.

Hero Arts Challenge- Using Unexpected Colors...and a Tutorial

I spent way too much time on this card...I decided to create some custom paper to incorporate the color palette from Wednesday. I had fun and I will be making more custom paper. I used stamps from the clear set Decorate Your Own. I thought I would include a tutorial for anyone who may want to create their own custom designed paper.
Here's the card:

This is how the paper started...I stamped using Distress Inks in the palette colors of Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans, Fired Brick. Once I printed the paper I stamped the screen shadow in Dried Marigold to use create the circle frame. I printed out the letters for NOEL and stamped Houndstooth background in Dried Marigold over the top to give them some color, then cut the letters out.

Custom Paper Tutorial Using Microsoft Publisher

Click on the photos to view them larger for detail.

I scanned the stamped sheet into my computer and opened the file in Microsoft Publisher.

Copy and paste the image several times and then crop around each stamped image.

 

 While cropping the images use the set transparent background tool on the picture tool bar, it's the second tool from the right, this makes it easier to line up the images because it removes the white background from the original paper.

Once the images are cropped arrange them in a line and align them so they are straight using the Arrange tool as shown on the screen below. You will use- align middle because the images are different heights. Then group these images.

 

 Once grouped, copy and paste twice and using the Arrange tool to align the 3 grouped images. Now you will reduce the images to the desired size. Now just keep copying and pasting and grouping until the sheet is filled. You will want to stagger the rows to create a diagonal pattern or leave them straight to create stripes.

 

You can clean up the edges by ungrouping and deleting the images that fall off the sides. (You'll notice I did not set transparent background here and it made this part much more difficult; trial and error)

 

When I filled my page I opted to add text over the top using the text tool from the drawing toolbar on the left side. Just layer it over the top.

Final design before printing....

And here is the paper ready to use on my card....if you would like, you may click on the photo below to save and use this paper for your own projects. Since I used Hero Arts Stamps please don't use the paper for anything commercial. Thanks.

There are so many possibilities with this...any color scheme and design you choose. I was thinking about stamping a little scene and using it to make a design. If you use Word or Power Point use the drawing toolbar to access the tools you'll need.
Let me know if this is helpful...there's a good chance I'm the only "dinosaur" still using software other than Photoshop. (I have Photoshop, I just can't remember how to use it.)

Thought for the Day: From Philippians 4:8 Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise!

Blessings to you!

Paperless Tag

 This is my entry for GC30 Spicy Challenge to use buttons at Gingersnap Creations.

 Louise at Kard Krazy challenged tag makers to create a tag without using any paper. I love a good challenge so here is my paperless tag. I decided to use wood as my substrate...I'm so Thankful for my woodworker hubby who just happened to have this lovely maple veneer in the garage. He cut a number tag shapes...I plan to make more as gifts. I white embossed the Old Letter Writing stamp from Hero Arts and then created a tree shape with buttons. A little ribbon and voila...Paperless Tag! Thank you Louise, keep the creative challenges coming.

Day 3 of my 30 days of Thanksgiving...as I mentioned above, soooo thankful for my wonderful, loving and oh so talented hubby, not to mention his garage full of wood.

Thought for the Day: Good advice from Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful!

Have a blessed day,

Nancy

Thanksgiving Day 2- Trust

 
I am thankful that I can say with the Apostle Paul, "I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return." 2 Timothy 1:12. Jesus is the One I trust; I am sure, convinced, persuaded that He is able! Today I am giving thanks for Jesus Christ; for nearly 50 years of trusting in Him and never being disappointed.

 As I turn my thoughts to what I am thankful for and to whom I am giving thanks, it seemed appropriate to offer up some creativity. I simply started with the digital image of the sheet music from The Graphics Fairy and stamped it with some flourishes. I adhered it to a 9 x 9 piece of heavy watercolor paper as a substrate and then opened my scrap box. It was an interesting process of overlapping pieces and working backward almost, just letting the exercise be to let the collage happen as it wanted.  It totally represents me... imperfect, a little rough around the edges but full of life, love and faith.

Thought for the Day: "Hold loosely all that is not eternal."
                                     -Agnes Maude Royden

Have a wonderful, thankful day!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day One

I love the Thanksgiving holiday...a whole day to gather with loved ones and give thanks to God for our many blessings.  I found this blog by Ann Tatum, she is celebrating 30 days of Thanksgiving starting today and I will be giving thanks along with her.

 

Today I am thankful for family! Through my family I have found my way and my purpose as a child of God!

My wonderful husband, Al, my partner in life and love for over 31 years. He is loving and so capable, he can do anything! I am proud that he is a man of integrity and faith.

Andy, my firstborn, is kind and generous. He loves the Lord and has a heart for service. Andy's wife Kellie is the perfect daughter in law. She is exactly who I would have chosen for Andy, together they make a beautiful team in service to God.

Ben is a voracious reader and loves history, especially military history.He is quiet and strong and thoughtful. I am very thankful that he returned home from Iraq in July and completed his service in the Marine Corps in September.

I have a fun and interesting extended family full of love and faith in Jesus.

I give thanks to God today for my family.

Thought for the day: From Psalm 34~ I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make it's boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad......Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who trusts in Him!