What a Fun Class!!

Oh my I had a blast at my own class! We were at max capacity with 8 1/2 attendees (sweet Jennifer brought her equally sweet little daughter). There was plenty of time for chatting and everyone made 3 cards with new techniques. In the midst of the class we had a group of 6 women come in to shop. Anyone who has been to Stamp Fever knows how tiny the shop is and how crowded it got at that point but the fun just kept on going. The shoppers even bought the stamps we were using on our cards.
The highlight of the day was finally meeting dear sweet Tiffany Ervin!! What a doll she is, we hit it off like we had always been friends.

 

Here we are after class in front of the Hero Arts section. Tiffany's basket is filled with Hero goodness.

Everyone who knew we were meeting today requested we give hugs for them so we decided to snap a picture so you'd all know it was mission accomplished. Hugs all around!

This is the Hero Arts section of Stamp Fever before the class....

This is what the Hero Arts section looked like after the class....

 

All the Hero Hues Chalk inks were sold and most of the new wood stamps too. I have my eye on a few of the ones that are still there. It was a great day at Stamp Fever; even though it rained cats and dogs all day, (at one point it hailed) our spirits weren't dampened. 

Thank you to all who came out in this crazy weather, you made my day!

My next class is scheduled for March 13th. I'll be working on the samples this week.

Thought for the Day:From Psalm 86:2-4; a psalm of David.

Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. 

You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in you.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. 

Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Have a blessed day,

nancy

Thinking Outside the Square

I tried a new challenge for me this last week on the Cards Blog. The challenge was to create a card that was any shape but square or rectangle.

I had this idea for awhile and thought this challenge was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. I started with the On My Couch stamp set by PapertreyInk. I stamped the outline couch and pillows, then scanned , re-sized, cleaned them up and printed them out on patterned paper.

Inside of Let's Chat

I'm getting everything ready for my class tomorrow, got a full class of 8 creative ladies. I'll be posting all about it tomorrow evening.

Thought for the Day: Romans 15:13  ~ "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Blessings to you,

nancy

A Spring Day

No I'm not really jumping the gun, even in the midst of winter months here in Southern California, Spring is never too far away. I awoke this morning to a hummingbird flitting about outside my window. It rained yesterday and it's supposed to rain again on Saturday, but I have Spring in my heart and a hummingbird to prove it!
I have been trying to make a card for the Stamping Around challenge for a week and finally got some inspiration last night.  Here's the challenge inspiration:

 

It reminds me of a perfect Spring day.

Here's my Perfect Spring Day:

I don't usually make cards with scenes but what can I say, I was inspired! I just got the cute Hero Arts bicycle and I had to ink it up. The peachy layered flowers are punched, inked and then stitched on with crochet thread using a golden colored bead in the center. Some Hero Arts gems and a light wash of orange Stickles highlight the flowers in the basket. The tree is paper-pieced and the leaves are painted with Smooch.
Here's a close up of the detail:

Thought for the Day: I read an excellent post by Pam Merwin this week with a very important message. She writes really well and her messages are very though-provoking.  I thought I'd direct you over there today to show Pam some blog love. Her blog is called Lace and Southern Grace (i love that name).
Have a blessed day,
nancy

February Card Chain Challenge

I'm sending big hugs out to Deborah for hosting this wonderful exercise in giving and receiving mail art! The Card Chain Challenge is a wonderful opportunity connect with stamping card makers all over the world, if you haven't participated yet, I encourage you to give it a try! In a really fun coin-ki-dink, last month I sent my card to Joy in Indianapolis and received a card from Anette in Norway. This time I sent my card to Anette and received this beautiful card from the lovely Joy Ott:

Card from Joy

 

Not only did she send this amazing card, she also sent some of the most fun tags and vintage papers. She included 2 stamp pads. I'll be trying one and sharing the other.

 Here is the card that I sent to Anette:

Card supplies and tools: stamps-all by Hero Arts CG119 Flourish Background, CG153 Dandelion Frame, CG125 Friend Definition, CL380 Truly Appreciated. Distress Inks-Peeling Paint, Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord. VersaMark ink, Stampendous Pearlustre embossing powder in Amethyst Opaque. Vellum, cardstock and ribbon from Michael's.

Thought for the Day: I John 4:9-10 ~ "God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Have a blessed day,
nancy

Tag Tuesday #40 ~ Shamrocks

The shamrock theme this week is almost as challenging for me as the cutsey theme was last week. After an exhaustive search through 20 years worth of rubber stamps I realized I don't have a shamrock stamp. (More than 1500 stamps and not one shamrock, what was I thinking?)  So, anyway I looked in ClipArt for a shamrock which I printed out in 3 sizes to use as masks for the background. then I punched out tiny hearts to layer over the medium sized masks.  I've had the angel image for years, it was just waiting for this project. Thanks for another great challenge theme, Louise!
Check out this fun weekly challenge at Kard Krazy.

Thought for the Day: Psalm 119:105  "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!"  It's comforting to know that there's no reason to wander around in darkness or confusion when light is so readily available.
Blessings,
nancy

New Hero Arts Products at Stamp Fever

I had some fun this week, unpacking boxes of gorgeous Hero Hues Folded Cards, Envelopes and Layering Papers in all the colors of the rainbow! Stamp Fever has them all along with the new Wood Stamps and the wonderful Hero Hues Chalk Inks. I love these inks, you have to try them and you'll never go back.

 

Rainbow of Hero Hues Cards, Envelopes, Layering Papers, Paper Flowers and Pearls & Gems.

  

The new Hero Hues Chalk inks and Wood Stamps.

Stamp Fever is also carrying Cosmo Cricket products: Mini Decks-6x6 paper pads with designs sized for card making in Material Girl, Garden Variety and Early Bird. There are also Borders and Elements for each line and fun little Tiny Type sticker packs.

I had so much fun playing with the new papers, inks and supplies!

 

Material Girl borders, Garden Variety Paper and Hero Hues Layering Paper and Chalk Ink.

Early Bird

Garden Variety

I will be teaching techniques for fun flowers with these cards at my class on March 13th at Stamp Fever. Call Linda to reserve your spot-714 974-3552.

Thought for the Day: We recently had our tax appointment, never fun but it was really not fun this year. Even though I really think I should panic, I'm reminded that God is in control and He is worthy of my trust.

Proverbs 3:5 ~ "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."

So with that in mind, I'm going pop some popcorn, get a beverage and settle in to a comfy chair while I watch God's miraculous love at work!

Blessings to you all,

nancy

A Package from Virginia!

How fun to get my mail and find a package from Virginia Lu! She had sent the blog candy from her "Beat the Winter Blahs" Challenge. I was awarded 2nd place right behind the amazing Lucy! That in itself was prize enough. Here is what the lovely Virginia and her wonderful family sent:

 

In the package was the Scroll Label Cling from Hero Arts, a package of pearl and crystal gems and the most adorable card ever!

She used wire and brads to create a clothesline to hang the little clothes on. Virginia's heartfelt note inside made me tear up a bit too.
Since I just couldn't wait to ink up the stamp, I made a Wedding Card to keep on hand. Linda at Stamp Fever asked me to try out a new product called Smooch.

 It's an ink that comes in a container with a brush like nail polish. I used it to paint the leaves on the Scroll Label.

 The Smooch went on really smoothly and the green color is very pretty. After I got the hang of it, I found it was very easy to paint color even in small detailed areas. I think I'll give Linda a thumbs up on this one. This is an unbiased review, I was not compensated by the manufacturer nor by Stamp Fever.

Card Supplies and Tools: stamps- all Hero Arts CG135 Scroll Label, CL143 Two Hearts Wedding, CL401 Speckled Ornaments. Paper-K&Company Handmade Garnish 12x12 paper pad. Hero Arts Gemstones, Michael's ribbon, Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink.

Thought for the Day: I am so thankful for the lovely comments I've received about the Thought for the Day. It is such a blessing to know that God is using my humble little blog to touch the hearts of my readers.You all bless my little happy heart, thank you!

This is a favorite verse ~ Ephesians 2:4-5 "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Amen!

Please check out my sidebar near the top for some fun Blog Candy at Vanessa's "wings of a butterfly" blog. Click the photo to link to her blog.

Blessings to you,

nancy

Card Samples for 2-27-2010 Class

Here are the cards for my next class at Stamp Fever. The class will be on February 27th at noon. The cost is $10.00 and each attendee will make the following cards using layered embossing and water-coloring with Distress Inks.

 

  

  

If you are in Southern California (Orange County) and would be interested in this class please contact Linda at Stamp Fever to reserve your place. 714-974-3552  I hope to see you there!

Tag Tuesday #39 ~ Cutsie

So this week Louise at Kard Krazy decided to make a really hard challenge....the Cutsie tag! For those of us who are "Cutsie-challenged" it is the perfect assignment. Luckily, I needed a baby shower card this week and the only baby stamps I have are uber-cutsie. I'm linking this to Lucy's Polka Dot challenge also, I just love the dots.

 

  

Stamps- Hero Arts-Cling Dots, Stripes Pattern; Rubber Stampede-Bedtime Bear, Bunny Pin; Annette Watkins-sentiment

Inks-Hero Arts Shadow Soft Pool; Memories Black; Color Box Moss Green

Paper- K& Company Citronella Mat Pad

Supplies and Tools- Fiskars Heart Punch; Creative Memories Circle Punch; Doodlebug heart brad; Michael's ribbons; Blumenthal Lansing button; MS foam adhesive dots; Prismacolor Watercolor pencils; Ranger Glossy Accents; White embroidery floss.

Maple veneer tag base, compliments of the hubster.

Thought for the Day: I've begun re-reading a beloved book, Feeding the Soul by Jean Fleming. I highly recommend this book if you've never developed the habit of daily Bible and prayer time or if you could use a little refresher.  It's so easy to read and there are so many nuggets of useful wisdom. This struck a chord with me this morning: "Our life in Christ must flow out of us to others. Remember that Christian service, or ministry, is not what you do for God, but what He does through you."

God will do wonderful things through you when you spend time in His presence.

Blessings to you,

nancy

Tag Tuesday #38 ~ Monogram

This week's theme for Tag Tuesday at Kard Krazy is Monograms. I just happened to receive some fun blog candy from Shawnte Parks that serendipitously contained some pretty chipboard letters. Thanks so much, Shawnte, for the great package of goodies. Pretty as the letter N was in the package, I couldn't leave it that way. So, I sanded, inked and stamped until it was exactly what I pictured in my mind. This tag represents a bit of my current journey of faith. Finding myself at a cross-roads at this point in my life, I'm letting go of some dreams from the past, celebrating them, but letting them go. Looking forward to each new day with a heart of gratitude and expectation.

Thought for the Day: Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Blessings to you for your walk of faith,
nancy

Cards for my Class this Saturday

If you are here to see the samples for my class at Stamp Fever this Saturday at noon, you are in the right place.
We will make 3 cards with a Coffee and Donuts theme. I will be using stamps from the Hero Arts sets, CL416 What's Perking and CL403 Have a Donut. Be sure to contact Linda at Stamp Fever 714-974-3552, to reserve your spot, there's only room for 8. We'll have lots of fun with some paper piecing and Perfect Pearls misting. Hope to see you there!!

 

  

Note: this design will use different paper (tiny white dots on aqua) for the blue elements, I wasn't really happy with this combo.

Thought for the Day: Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Some of the most beautiful women I know will never win a beauty contest or grace the pages of a fashion magazine. They truly love God and their loving and faithful actions speak volumes about their character.
Blessings to you,
nancy

CPS and PTI sketch!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday, or as my hubster refers to it...the perfect day to go to Home Depot! He's so not into sports, but I'm watching the football festivities in between spurts of creativity in the craft room.
Here's a quick little entry for the CPS Sketch #153 Sponsored by Papertrey Ink.
My PTI stamp supply is limited so I'm trying to get the most out of this On My Couch set.

 

Back to the commercials, I mean the football game!!

Blessings,

nancy

Announcing the Winner of the CHA Blog Candy!!

I couldn't be happier to announce the winner of the special 2010 "The Art of the Stamp" Hero Arts Catalog.
This is a special one personally signed by each of the Hero Arts artists and Aaron Leventhal.

I truly haven't embraced all things techno as yet and Random.org was more than I can handle, so I went "old-school" and cut up 31 pieces of paper, writing the numbers on them and putting them in a box.  And then since I promised a random drawing,  I went to my exceedingly random hubster to draw the winning number. He had to multi-task as he was scrambling some eggs for breakfast. (Yes, he does the cooking.)
Here is the result of my, less than scientific but so much more fun, drawing:

 

Lucky number 12 is TanyaC. She linked to this absolutely gorgeous card on her blog Scattered Stamper.

You can also find her lovely and creative work on Flickr. Tanya, I will contact you via Flickr-mail for your address. Congratulations!

Thank you to all who participated, I appreciate you all. Stay tuned here as I am planning more fun give-aways and maybe a challenge or two along the way!

Thought for the Day: I would just like to express my gratitude to all of my faithful blog buddies. Your comments and encouraging words have really kept me going since losing my job in October.  I would like to ask a special favor of my praying friends. It has always been a dream of mine to return to my former employer, Independence Christian School. I worked there for 15 years and was never happier or more challenged and exhausted. I left that job in June of 2005 to have cervical spine disk replacement surgery. I always hoped to go back after the long months of recovery, but then the economy hit the school and they were forced to do some down-sizing and look for a new home. Well all this is just background for my prayer request...please pray for Independence Christian School as they are moving to a new facility; that they would have the opportunity to grow and maybe bring back their computer teacher (me) sometime in the near future.

In any event, I would love for this wonderful ministry to continue blessing families and educating children with Christian values. My two sons are certainly products of their education at ICS and they have been blessed by the loving examples of their excellent teachers.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ~ Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Blessings to you all,
nancy

Bold Flowers with a St. Patrick's Day Theme

I've have been so amazed by the wonderful bold colors that Jennifer has been using this week on the Hero Arts blog. I'm not really a bold color user so much, but I got inspired to give it a try and see what happens. The theme for the month of February at Hero Arts is Flowers and St. Patrick's Day. For more info about this challenge go HERE.

 

I included the Irish Blessing and a small good luck charm to include the St. Patrick's Day theme along with the bold flowers. I used stamps from the HA clear sets: Artistic Borders, Printed Flowers and Mix n Match Elements. Papers are from BoBunny, K&Company and Me&My Big Ideas.

Thought for the Day: Here's some encouraging verses from my reading this morning:
Phil 4:13~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Eph 6:10~ Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
Neh 8:10~ The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Praying today for abundant joy to strengthen your hearts!
Blessings,
Nancy

Tag Tuesday #37-A Touch of Red

There's still time to enter to win the autographed Hero Arts 2010 "The Art of the Stamp" catalog HERE. 

Another Tuesday, another tag challenge! I am so thankful that I found Louise and her blog Kard Krazy. I have been using her themes each Tuesday to challenge my creativity. It's like my weekly exercise to stretch my creative muscles. Each week I set aside time to play with the theme and just let my ideas go where they want to. I only have two rules; not to stress or agonize over the design and to finish in one creative session.  I just want to see what develops and in the process I've been noticing that my own style is emerging. Thanks so much, Louise, for all the creative fun I've had with your Tag Tuesday Challenge.
So anyway, here's my submission for this week's theme "A Touch of Red"....

Supplies used: Distress Ink-Scattered Straw, Aged Mahogany, Dried Marigold. Memories Ink-Black

Stamps by Hero Arts, Stampa Rosa, Rubber Stampede.

Thought for the Day: Today I'd like to share a link to Greg Laurie's: Harvest Daily Devotion. I hope you find the same inspiration as I did!
Blessings to You,
Nancy

January Card Chain Challenge

There's still time to enter to win the autographed Hero Arts 2010 "The Art of the Stamp" catalog HERE.

I just love Deborah Nolan and her wonderful Card Chain Challenges. How fun is it to connect with card makers throughout the world and exchange gorgeous cards!! Well this month I received a stunner from Anette in Norway. Just look at the detail and the absolute skill with which she created that blended background. This card is a treasure.

I sent my card to Joy Ott in Indiana. I did some heat stamping on velvet to create a vintage style Valentine card.

 

I added a bit of decor to the inside as well...

 

If you want to see all the cards from January's challenge go HERE. Make sure to check out Deborah's card, it's a real stunner. To play along with the February CCC sign up today, tonight is the deadline.

Thought for the Day: Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bride-groom decks himself with ornaments and as a bride adorns herself with jewels."

This verse refers to the relationship of believers with Jesus Christ-our righteousness. Because of His sacrifice on our behalf we gain a right relationship with God when we put our trust in Him alone. The "ornaments" and "jewels", our "robe of righteousness", become our "spiritual bling"!

Rejoice in God's goodness today,

Nancy