Post-Easter Post

Wow, it has been quite awhile since I posted!  Actually, I have a few cards I haven't posted yet so will try to get caught up over the next few days.

I hope you all had a blessed Easter!  It is already a week past, but the fun we had is still putting a smile on my face.  This sweet image by Krista at The Saturated Canary gave me an "aww" moment.  This little sweetie with her Easter egg gift is called "Bunny Luv". 

The card recipe is actually pretty simple and I kept the layers flat for easier mailing.  The dp is from my scrap box, the die cut is Nesties, and the flowers are from the bridal dept at Hobby Lobby.  Stick on a bit of pink pearl swirl and there you have it!  Easy peasy!

She is colored with Copics and looks so pretty in pink!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #107 --- Think Spring!

Ahhhh! It is definitely spring around here! The red buds, dogwoods, Bradford pears and forsythia add their colors to the winter-drab landscape even before the trees start to show their tender green leaves.  I call this our fifth season because it has a beauty all its own from the other four.  

In celebration of spring Sassy Cheryl and her fantastic design team are showing their spring colors and challenge us to do the same.  Of course what would spring be without Easter, both in celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and the playfulness of the Easter Bunny and egg hunts.  To make up for my absence the past few weeks I have THREE cards to post today.  

This is Cheryl's "Dancing Easter Bunny".  She is just the happiest thing!  The image is colored with Copics and the white panel is embossed with a Sizzix folder I just picked up at Hobby Lobby.  The flower is made from a silk daisy that I removed the center from, added this K & Co. brad and leaves cut with the Nesties die. The border is Martha Stewart.  The bling was an after thought to add sparkle.

This is the "Wanna Be Bunny Girl".  Gotta love those floppy ears.  She is colored with Copics and mounted on a Nesties scalloped rectangle die cut.  The papers are scraps from a stack, but I don't remember which one.  The little silk flowers have a variety of patterned brads to go along with the polka dot ribbon.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up.  I wanted lots of color on this and I think I accomplished that!

This is "Wanna Be Bunny Boy".  I like that Cheryl has the matching boy and girl images here.  These make great cards for my grandniece and grandnephews.  The background paper is also a scrap and I kept this simple with just a bit of the red gingham rickrack and buttons.  The sentiment is the same Stampin' Up.  And, of course, he is colored with Copics.

So, there you have three of my cards to celebrate spring.  Now, you really owe yourself the fun of hopping over to Sassy Cheryl's to see what the design team has come up with! 

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a great week! 

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #105 --- Sketch Time

"My Easter basket is THIS big!

This week Jackie of Sassy Cheryl's design team gave us this great sketch to play with. 

So I grabbed this adorable digi called "I Love You This Much", changed the sentiment to fit in with Easter, and had fun with the lively color scheme. 

The red and teal color combo is one I have seen used by many creative folks out there, but never worked it myself.  I'm glad I did!  These are two "high octane" colors and I think I will be using them more.  As it turned out I had dp from the DCWV Farmer's Market stack that worked well with the image, which I had already colored.  Now, there is one little piece that is not your typical cardstock.  The sentiment is mounted on a PAINT CHIP!  It wouldn't take the ink from the printer so I used it as a background.  See, we NEVER throw anything away!

Gotta get me a hat like this!!  The image is colored with Copics, laid on pretty thick, especially the red.

I really enjoyed using this sketch and have four more Sassy images colored and ready to go.  They will look great on this sketch, so check back later........... there will be more!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to hop over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #105 for the sketch and more inspiration from the uber-talented design team.

DP2 Challenge #124 --- Anything Goes!

This week Mo's amazing design team gave us a super simple challenge --- anything goes!  Actually, I was very relieved because I didn't get the entry in for last week's challenge, which was to include lace, so I can now post it.  I'm focusing on Easter cards right now so I used Mo's new image Easter Carly.

The dp is coordinated sheets from the Watercolor Bouquet stack by K & Co.  The dark purple is Bazzill card stock and the flowers are a combination of silk stems and Prima ivory roses.  The leaves are Spellbinders Shapeabilities and the lace is from my stash.  The sentiment is a rubber stamp.

Lovely Carly is colored with Copics.  I tried for a taffeta-like sheen on the dress and I think I came pretty close.  What do you think?

I just want to say that my heart goes out to all the areas devastated by tornadoes and severe weather this past week.  Here in Branson clean up efforts are moving along quickly due in large part to private citizens jumping in and helping their neighbors; even folks from Joplin who sustained unimaginable damage last May, jumped in their cars and came down to help.  This same scenario can be seen throughout the midwest and south.  If only we could recover those who were lost, but we can keep the prayers going Heavenward for healing and hope in the wake of these terrible storms.

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep safe, keep your eyes to the sky, and keep the faith.

Murray and Her Easter Chick

Easter is just 38 days away, but Murray by the Saturated Canary, is already on the hunt for eggs and chicks.  It's no secret that I am ready for spring and this card nearly shouts it!    

The card stock is DCWV Lemon Flower mat stack. The image and the frame are cut with the Nestibilities Labels Eighteen.  The flowers are Prisma and the leaves are Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage dies.  The lower border is a combination of three Martha Stewart border punches: flowers, picket fence and tulips. 

I colored the image with Copics and this time I did color it to match the papers! 

Here is a close up of the three border punches. 

So, for two days in a row I have posted twice!  I'm having so much fun!  I hope you are, too, as the weekend nears.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Mo Manning DP2 Challenge #96 --- Feeling Blue

Blue is my favorite color so when Debbie, this week's hostess over at Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge chose "Feeling Blue" as the theme I knew just what I was going to use.  I've had this cute Easter Bunny image colored for months. Yes, it is an Easter image, obvious by the colored eggs on the ground, but absent those it could be any little girl clinging tightly to her pet rabbit. 

I've always loved navy blue and white together so I couldn't wait to get this card made up.  I used speckled blue card stock for the base, pretty blue roses dp cut with the large scallops Nesties die, a scrap of lace and polka dot ribbon. Add to that paper roses and a pearl swirl.

The image is colored with Copics and cut with the Nesties square die.Now to wait till Easter to send this to a special little girl!  That seems such a long way off!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope your weekend is all you want it to be, especially cooler!  Be sure to hop over to the DP2 Challenge to see the fabulous projects by the design team.  Remember, they are "Feeling Blue" so leave them lots of love, too!

Mo's Digital Challenge #78 --- Start of Something New!

Spring is the season of "new" and that is the theme this week at Mo's Digital Challenge.  I chose the image "Wonder", which is new to me.  As I watch the new flock of hummingbirds visit our feeder, and see the new tulips and crocuses burst up from their winter hibernation, and see young children look at the world in a whole new way from last year, I am also reminded of the Easter promise of new life through Christ. 

I made this Easter card for my future daughter-in-law.  It actually coordinates with the card I made for my son, which I will show in a couple of days. 

I've been trying to use scraps and miscellaneous papers and these worked so well with the image, which I had already colored.  I love the shape of the Nestabilities Label Sixteen. It adds the feeling of motion to the project. The flowers and brad centers are also odds and ends I am using up. The sentiment is computer generated.

Here is a close up of the image, which is colored with Copics.  Mo has so many wonderful images that I just can't pick a favorite, but this one just really tugs at my heart.  I remember sitting in the cool grass near my grandmother's flower bed. I never had a hummingbird light so close to my hand, but often got close up looks at butterflies and ladybugs.  Now, though, we have our regular hummingbird visitors and many don't care if we are standing right there as they drink.  We have some that actually hover as we hang up a new batch of nectar!  They are amazing!

Be sure to visit Mo's challenge blog to see the great new projects by the DT.  I'm sure you will find something new that you will want to try.

I hope your week is amazing and joyful as we celebrate Easter and Passover.

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #59 --- Think Spring!

Horray! It is finally spring! Don't let those April blizzards around the country fool you! The calendar says it is spring, and Sassy Cheryl says it is spring, so it must be spring! And that is the theme for Sassy Cheryl's Challenge this week.  Since Easter is also a very important part of spring my card is an Easter card that I am sending to my aunt and uncle. 

I used Cheryl's image "The Little Girl's Flower", colored with Copics.  The card, butterfly and inside liner --- and this is the best part --- is all from one 12" x 12" sheet of double sided dp from the K & Co. Susan Winget collection.  So many times these large sheets have beautiful artwork that is just too large for a card.  Well, with some inspiration from Becca Feeken at Amazing Paper Grace, I was able to use this gorgeous paper, front and back. The rhinestone swirls add sparkle.

Here is a close up of the image.  She is so cute!  This time I actually colored the image after choosing the paper and the pink and yellow worked out nicely.

The butterfly is two layers, Martha Stewart large and small punches.  Both are from the dp, the large one from the back side and the small from the front. 

Inside is the back side of the dp with the remaining corner of the front design layered on the right.  The sentiment on the front and the Bible verse John 3:16 are embossed with Pearl Lustre opaque Emerald embossing powder.  All in all this was a simple card to make and will mail nicely. 

Now, I've gotten run and get this posted.  I'm sliding in at the last minute again.  Where has the time gone?  But, it looks like my mojo is returning and that is a very good thing!  Be sure to hop over to Cheryl's and see what the DT has come up with.  You will be inspired!  And another challenge will start tomorrow!.

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge --- Pearls and Satin

If you haven't visited Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog this week you owe it to yourself to take a hop over there.... literally! Besides the challenge for pearls and satin the DT has a blog HOP going on.  Awesome projects and prizes to be won!  The hop goes through Saturday March 5 so you still have time.

For the challenge I used Cheryl's funny "girl bunny wannabe".  Who wouldn't want to be a bunny at Easter?  Very popular character that day!

I'll tell you what, this girl put on those ears and has attitude!  She is ready to rock and roll with the jelly bean eggs and chocolate bunnies!  Bring on the baskets!  The background dp is the last sheet I have of this.  It's been in my stash for a few years and I hope to find more. It is one of the prettiest Easter papers.

I colored her with Copics on GP 110 lb cardstock. The image, accent piece and sentiment were cut out with Nestabilities rectangles.

The button, while pretty by itself, looks so much better with the pearls!  The ribbon trim is actually 2 layers of satin ribbon. 

Oh my goodness, I have so many cards to get done in the next few days!  With more rainy weather predicted for tomorrow it looks like a good day to spend in the studio! Wish you all could join me!  I'm glad you stopped by today.  Now, be sure to visit Cheryl's hop right over.......... HERE!

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #23 --- Three Punches

AACCKKK!  I've had so much on my mind lately that I nearly forgot to post this!  I didn't get the photo in natural light, so there is a bit too much yellow.  Yuk.  But, here is a quick post to show my card for Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #23.  This week the challenge required the use of three punches.  What a cool concept for a challenge! 

I love this new illustration of Sydney on Easter.  Always a fan of frilly dresses and pantaloons (bloomers) this was very fun to color.  I've been trying really hard to make note of the Copics I used by writing them on the back of the image in the margins.  But then I used most of the margins and adhered it to the card........ so, suffice to say I used yellows and yellow reds.  The designer paper is from Making Memories Flower Patch collection and is so perfect for spring and Easter.  The flowers are a variety of silk flowers stems.

Now to the punches:  All are Martha Stewart.  The bottom edge is the popular lattice style. For the center piece I tried out the new corner/border punch-around-the-page coordinates.  This is the pansy pattern.  Technically it is two separate punches but one design.  I like it!  For good measure I used one of the Butterfly punches and added pearls to the body.

So, a quick thank you to you all for stopping by!  I can't wait to see what the next challenge will be over at Mo's!  If you aren't into Mo's illustrations yet --- watcha waitin' for?  They are digital and fun, fun fun! 

Happy Easter and Glorious Spring!

Happy Easter and Glorious Spring!

Easter Reflections

by Helen Steiner Rice

With OUR EYES we see

The beauty of Easter

As the earth awakens once more...

With OUR EARS we hear

The birds sing sweetly

To tell us Spring again is here..

With OUR HANDS we pick

The golden daffodils

And the fragrant hyacinths...

But only with OUR HEARTS

Can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE

Which redeems all men...

And only with OUR SOUL

Can we make our 'pilgrimage to God'

And inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

Whiff of Joy #23 --- Donalda's Sketch

Donalda is a very talented designer and for Whiff of Joy Challenge this week she has given us a lovely sketch to build on. I already had some images colored so it didn't take any time for me to put this card together (and I didn't want to be under the wire like last week!)

I used Willow with flowers in an Easter theme. Willow is colored with Copics and framed in ovals cut with Nesties on my Cuttlebug. The DP is a very pretty Easter egg scrapbook paper I found at Michaels (forgot to get the brand name). The eggs are so pretty that it was a shame to cover them up so I cut some out, mounted them on white CS, added some embellies and 3D mounted them with foam tape. The lavendar pieces are scraps from other Spring cards and the ribbon is a swatch from a roll I found in the $1 bin at Michaels. I added a sweet heart charm with a cross embedded with tiny rhinestones. Oh, and check out the centers of the flowers --- who can resist little yellow bunny brads? All this lays on a bed of lattice patterned vellum which covers lavender textured CS.

Hmmm. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you think? Thank you, Donalda, for a very nice sketch!