Hope You Perk Up

Last weekend I went to a Stamp & Scrap Expo in my area with my best crafting buddy.  It was the first time I had gone to one of these and I had a great time!  I came back with a lot of new toys including the Technique Junkie stamp featured on this card.  

This stamp is a new addition to my coffee-themed stamp collection, which is still growing.  I first stamped the cute little owl with Versafine and stamped it again with Versamark in my MISTI, then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I colored her with  Altenew Watercolors that I also got at the Expo.  I struggle with water coloring but these Altenew colors blended so easily.  Next, I die-cut the image with Nestabilities and mounted it on DP.  I accented with Nuvo Crystal dots and roughly traced around the DP with Early Espresso marker.  The sketch is from the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog.

Recipe:

Stamps: Perk Up Soon - Technique Junkies

Paper: Strathmore Watercolor paper, Delightful Dijon, Early Espresso, DP

Ink:  Versafine Black, Versamark

Accessories:  Clear EP, Nestabilities, Early Espresso Marker, Waterbrush, Altenew Watercolors, Nuvo Crystal Drops

Lotus Blossom Birthday

Hi Everyone!  I'm getting more settled into my new home and crafting space.  One of my dear friends celebrated a birthday recently and this is the card I made for her.  I CASE'd it from this card I saw on Pinterest.  I changed it up a little with the bow, sentiment, and addition of a gem.  I love this design and will be using it again to make thank you cards in different colors.  

Recipe:

Stamps: Lotus Blossom - SU, Birthday Suprise -Verve

Paper:  Blushing Bride, WW

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Blackberry Bliss, Garden Green, Gumball Green

Accessories:  MISTI, Ribbon, Bowdabra, Gem

Great is the Lord's Faithfulness

Hi Everyone, I'm back!  My last post in March I was jobless and homeless, and in a really tough spot. About a week after that post I found a new job and was fast-tracked by the HR department to start in a few days. A couple weeks after that I was offered an even better job that allowed me to go to settlement on my new home.  God provided for me in that time of great need and surrounded me with friends who encouraged and helped me. 

I have been in my home for a little over 3 months now and have pretty much settled in.  My new craft space is set up enough for me to make cards again.  This past weekend I had a crafting open house for my friends to just drop in and get their fingers inky.  This card was one of the make and takes I demonstrated.  I chose the sentiment from Verve's New Mercies set.  It is true that God's mercies for us are new everyday and He is faithful to keep His promises to us.  Even with the trials I went through early this year, God never abandoned me.  He provided for all my needs and still is. God's love, grace, and mercy are unfailing!

Recipe:
Stamps:  Vintage Leaves - SU, New Mercies - Verve
Paper:  Georgia Pacific White CS, Gumball Green, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy, - TH Distress Inks; Tangerine Tango - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Dies, MISTI