Stickers + Ink = Tag Tuesday #45 Collage

It's Tuesday and Louise put out the challenge to create a collage tag using stickers. Well that gave me the opportunity to sort through a stash I had no idea was so extensive (translated- I didn't realize I had so many stickers I wasn't using.) The idea came from the stickers- theme and color palette. This one comes with a disclaimer though- I'm not really sure I like how it turned out. The joyful theme I think needs a more colorful conveyance....and my tag is a bit too dark and masculine, but it is what it is. The message is a positive one so I'm just going to call it a modern-vintage fusion and be done with it.

I used white lace seam binding that I found in the bottom of my rarely used sewing box. The flower border is white paper ribbon with an adhesive backing. I added color to the lace and paper ribbon with Copic markers.  The little flower is made of three 3/4" punched circles that I misted with Perfect Pearls in water then heat set in cupped shape.

Here's a close up of the message sticker on the bottom...it's a truthful statement.

Stamps and Supplies: All stamps Hero Arts-LP128 Artistic Windows, A1873 Shadow Stamp I, S5101 Raindrop Background. 

Assorted Stickers- Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type; EK Success Scrabble Tiles;7Gypsies Gratitude; K&Company Marcella Alphabet, Handmade Collection Paper Ribbon.

Inks- Ranger Distress Inks Vintage Photo, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire.

Copic Markers- YR31 on lace ribbon, B21 on paper ribbon.

Carl-3/4" circle punch

Tag-Eclectic Paperie

Thought for the Day: Continuing the theme of gratitude- I am most joyful when I'm thanking God for all He has done for me, but my attitude can go south pretty quick if I start to focus on what I don't have instead. This verse helps me keep things in perspective.....

Psalm 92:4 "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done."

When I count my blessings today, I will make sure to count you all twice!

blessings to you,

nancy

Vintage Inspired Easter Card

The Webster's Pages papers I added to my stash recently have really inspired a romantic, vintage vibe to my card-making lately. And of course when I saw Suzanne's absolutely gorgeous egg cards the inspiration was complete. I am entering this Easter card in the current Cards Blog challenge.

(click on image for better view of glitter details)

I used the Shattered or Cracked Glass technique on the vintage image from The Graphics Fairy inside the egg and then added some gold Stickles.

I stamped Old Letter Writing in Bundled Sage Distress Ink on the Webster's Pages paper, then I tore it, distressed the edges with both a paper distress tool and Milled Lavender Distress ink before adhering it to the card base. The card base was inked with Milled Lavender Distress Ink then stamped with Hero Arts Dots and Flowers in Stormy Sky and Antique Linen Distress Inks.
For the egg I used Linda's template which I resized smaller before printing on white cs and cut a circle in the center. I stamped Floral Scallop with Versamark ink then embossed with Pearlustre Embossing Powder in Amethyst. Then I covered the whole egg with Versamark ink and clear embossed, then covered it again with Versamark and embossed with Kaleidoscope embossing powder to give it a glittery appearance. It was added to the card in pop-dotted layers with the vintage image in the center.
The card was finished with a purple crepe bow and glitter added to the flowers and bird on the pp.

Baby Update: My niece gave birth to baby Reece at 8:30 this morning and everyone is doing very well...especially my sister, the proud grandma!

Thought for the Day: Phil 1:6 "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
The same verse in a modern translation: "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Blessings to you,
nancy

Welcoming a New Baby to the Family

My nephew, Christopher and his sweet adorable wife, Lauren, are adding to their family this week. Lauren is due any minute and since her doctor is going on vacation soon her little girl is on her way in the next couple days. So that's grandchild #2 for my sister, a matched set with little Gavin (19 months) and new baby Reece. I must say it brings a lot of joy to the family as we deal with the loss of our dad/grandpa.
I taught a class yesterday and with my earnings acquired a new Hero Arts stamp, In the Garden. As I looked at it I envisioned Gavin and his little sister in a few years playing together. With that thought and the CardPatterns Sketch 57 in mind I had a bit of creative play.

I took some liberty with the sketch, turning it on it's end. Here's the Sketch #57:

This is a little bit out of my usual style but I really wanted a soft feminine look to welcome baby Reece.

Stamps and supplies: Hero Arts stamps-K5353 In the Garden, CG125 Friend Definition, K5358 Floral Scallop (on the peach paper). Patterned Paper- Webster's Pages "Life's Portrait". Hero Arts Layering Papers- Celadon, Daffodil. Distress Inks- wild honey, spun sugar, tumbled glass, bundled sage. Versamark ink. White Embossing Powder.  K&Company stickers.  PTI medium scallop die. EK Success-scallop punch. Cuddlebug and Swiss Dots embossing folder. Kaisercraft pearl gems. White crepe ribbon from Stamp Fever.
Thought for the Day: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
blessings to you dear friends,
nancy

Custom Blog Banner ~ Easter Blessings

I had some fun this morning designing a new blog banner for Easter. I used elements from Hero Arts digi-kits: And Your Bird Can Sing, Botanical Tulips, Long Handwriting, and Skylands Birds. I added an Easter image from Antique Images. The bird inside the cage and the background paper are from Juno Misty Waters Digi-kit. The scrabble letter text is from scanning real Scrabble letters and saving them as clip art. I opened that file in Publisher, and copy-pasted each letter I needed, then arranged as Sing a New Song. I assembled it all in Microsoft Publisher, added some text in French Script font and saved it as a jpeg. Then I cropped it using the photo editing tool in Windows Photo Gallery. I think it coordinates with the new Spring Sunrise background from ShabbyBlogs.
Thought for the Day: When I sign off with "blessings to you" each day I am asking that God will bless each one of you according Numbers 6:24-26.
"The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
These are the five areas of blessing:
1-bless and protect
2-smile on you (be pleased with you)
3-be gracious (merciful and compassionate)
4-show His favor toward you (give you His approval)
5-give you His peace
In offering a blessing to others, it demonstrates love for them, it encourages others and is a model of caring for others.
Please keep this in mind when you see me sign my name...
blessings to you,
nancy

Black and White Tag- Inspired by Jacqueline!

It's Tuesday and I made a tag for the Tag Tuesday challenge. The theme is Black and White, no other color allowed on this one. I had a bit of fun with this, making a grid design with 1 inch squares.

I discovered a tip for assembling these little pieces without going crazy. I used a bit of removable tape to hold the pieces as I was deciding where I wanted them. Then it was easy to lift each one to add permanent adhesive without disturbing the rest.
My tag design was inspired by two cards that I received from Jacqueline.  If you are not familiar with her work, I describe it as gorgeous feminine vintage style. Please take some time to visit her beautiful blog My Scrap Basket.

Jacqueline's grid cards are always so perfectly crafted with beautiful colors, patterns, vintage images and stamped elements. I feel very blessed to have these cards in my collection.

Tag ~ Stamps used: Hero Arts-CL387 Life is Not Perfect; LP128 Artistic Windows; K5185 Wallpaper Flowers; K2399 Paris Rose; H5011 Silhouette Corner; H2141 Manuscript Background; K5358 Floral Scallop; C2206 Luxe Liberty; LL676 International Postage-First Class.  Stampington and Company- K5501 Family Car. Unknown- the 2 bunny stamps.

Supplies and Tools: Marvy-1" punch; EK Success- Flower Punch; K& Company-Flowers; Ranger-Black Soot Distress Ink; Memento-Tuxedo Black ink. Hero Arts gems-crystal and black; Martha Stewart- oval pearl gems. Buttons from my stash and black crochet thread. Ribbon from Michael's.

Thought for the Day: Isaiah 32:17 "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."
blessings,
nancy

March Card Chain Challenge

I am so grateful to Deborah Nolan for her marvelous Card Chain Challenge. I have been having so much fun sending cards all over the world and then receiving some of the most gorgeous creations in return. This month I sent my card to Cassi Tramm in Virginia. I followed the sketch and the color palette (somewhat) and was happy to send this to Cassi.

I used the In Bloom stamp set by Papertrey ink. Thanks again, Kathy! I also used a  product called Memories Mists in Bright Gold to add a bit of sparkle to the Copic colored flowers.

The patterned paper is Que Sera by K&Company. I die-cut the paper using the new medium scallop die from Papertrey Ink. The background design was achieved by stamping Hero Arts Dots and Flowers Design block in Antique Linen Distress ink on white cs. Then I blended Broken China and Faded Jeans Distress ink over the top. Next I stamped Old Letter Writing in Antique Linen and over stamped it in Vintage Photo to give a shadow effect. I finished the background using the Dot Pattern stamp in the Textures and Patterns Poetic Prints set by Hero Arts. This set is from 2001. I stamped the Dot Pattern with Cloud White VersaMagic chalk ink around the edges of the background panel. The photo below is the Memories Mists; I got this as free gift from Sally Traidman in the Hero Arts booth at CHA.

Then last week I received a package in the mail from Dawn Turley all the way from New Zealand. Dawn sent a most beautiful card, along with a bookmark, a cardstock panel pre-colored with alcohol ink and a fun little magnetic notepad. The notepad will remind me that I have a sweet friend in New Zealand.

Even the envelope was decorated beautifully!  Thank you, Dawn, I love the card and your sweet gifts.

Thought for the Day: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.....indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38; 39.
Blessings to you,
nancy

Spring!

After a seriously rough 2 weeks I needed a little creative R&R. Nothing helps me focus my thoughts and remember God's blessings like taking time to create something beautiful. I was so happy that the theme for Tag Tuesday this week was Spring. Spring means re-birth, resurrection, and renewal for me; these are ideas I am clinging to this week. I stamped this tag on one layer, (no cutting and gluing on this one) colored the images with Copics and then added the gold embossed leaf motifs. A few gems and ribbon finish it off.

Stamps and Supplies:  Stamps: Hero Arts- Antique Engravings;Stencil Art; Long Irises. Unknown-Small Flower stamps. Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Water color paper, BoBunny paper. Versamark watermark ink. Ranger Embossing Powder-Gold. Copic Markers. Gems-Hero Arts.

I finally got the Hero Arts clear set Antique Engravings; I had ordered it way back in December at the Catalog party, but it was on back-order with every new re-order. I was patient and it finally arrived. The images in this set were perfect for the idea I got from this inspiration photo:

I found this photo on Moxie Fab World blog and just knew I would do something with it. It was perfect inspiration for my tag.

I've been going through old family photos this week to put together a presentation for my dad's memorial service and I found a photo of my parents taken shortly after they were married in 1948.

Mom has been gone for almost 32 years and I like to think that my parents are having a beautiful reunion in heaven.

Thought for the Day: Psalm 5:11-12 ~ But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy.
For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of Love!

Blessings to you all, your wonderful words of comfort have kept me going. I'm so grateful to be part of this loving community of creative women.
nancy