For My Friend...

Hello again,
I guess I'm on a roll. I have another card that is ready to post, and I'm going to get that done while I have the chance.

The funny thing about this card is that I started out not liking it at all. I had seen a design using that lacy half of a circle and I really liked it so I thought I would give it a try. I bought my Gemini Junior not too long ago and that lace design came with it. So it was a perfect time to make that card.

I'm not sure I have ever made a gray card before. It seemed kind of dreary to me. And I actually like the color gray, but in a card it just wasn't doing it for me!!! I wasn't happy with it until I got all the pieces cut out, colored and laid out on the card front.  At first, the word "Friend" was cut out from holographic paper. Somehow, that just didn't fit, so I cut it in white (to go with the lace) and that was the right thing to do!!!  I liked it YAY!!!

So here's my card:

>  The rainbow background was made a while ago when I was trying different distress ink backgrounds.
>  The lace piece was cut on my Gemini Junior. I cut two and glued them together.
>  The flower is from Altenew Flower Garden. I really like that set because it has several different designs of flowers in different sizes. Perfect!!! I colored it with my watercolors and then added that darker shade of orange with my chromo pencils.
>  The center of the flower is black micro beads. I LOVE that. It is so striking against the orange background. I've done all kinds of flower centers before, but I think I like the micro beads the best!!!
>  The greenery at the bottom is a Tim Holtz die of different ferns. Love that die. Does not have to be used just for winter.
>  And the "Friend" is cut on my Cameo. (I cut it in triplicate and glued together for extra thickness.) Mine is still the original Cameo and I had to update it because it stopped working with my Windows 10. But the update worked great and it's up and running  again!!! Whew!!! I would hate to have to purchase another one right now....

I am entering this card into these challenges:
https://rainbowcardchallenge.blogspot.com/ pastel rainbow
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/  favorite stamp (Altenew flower)
https://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/  photo challenge

So there you have it...
I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and my attempt to make a pretty card for my friend. She's the one I have alphabet challenges with and this one is for "F".

Please leave me a comment. I would love to know you were here,

Be Still and know that I am God!

Hello there,
Whew... long time since I have had the opportunity to write on my blog. My husband has become very ill and time has been at a premium. Taking time out to spend with my Savior is always a priority, but I also need time in my craft room to get my creative juices flowing.  I believe God gives us the gift of creativity to keep us balanced. We cannot help others from an  empty bucket. And we all know how quickly our bucket gets empty!!!

The card today is one of my favorites from the last few weeks. I had seen two of my favorite designers (Mindy Eggan and Sandy Allnock) feature a new way of doing alcohol ink. I love, love new techniques. That got me all excited and I spent a week making different colors and swirls on paper they suggested and I already had in my stash!!! (If you're interested in trying this technique, please read their blogs first. They both have tons of information and it's much different than what we used to do with alcohol ink!!!)

So, here's my card:

I used a new stencil from The Crafters Workshop. Love the stencil and I have already used it several times.
I applied black ink with the dome applicators.
Peacock Feathers Distress ink was applied to the word "love" and the butterfly in the middle.

I cut the heart out of one of the practice pieces of my alcohol papers.
Then I used a portion of an old stamp to apply Versamark ink and emboss with teal embossing powder.
I backed the heart with matching teal cardstock to make those colors come together.

The right side of the clock just needed something to make it come together and somehow, it felt like a bee would be the perfect addition. I actually cut the bee out of a brochure I had from a trip to the San Antonio Meijers Gardens.

So there it is.
I really enjoyed making this card. Probably because I had not worked with stencils for a long time and it's fun to see them come back. The new designs are just awesome and our imaginations can go in all kind of fun directions.

I am entering this card into these challenges:
http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.com/  Use stencils (my background)
https://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/  You're so sweet ( the heart)
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/  Make it colorful

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I would love to see your comments.