Baja Razzle Island Birthday Butterfly

The title is quite a mouthful!  I'm running out of creative titles for each card I post.  This card is a Stampin' Up Only (SUO) which I haven't done in a long time.  I gave up my demoship in my second semester of nursing school because I had to focus on my studies.  I have rejoined again particularly to take advantage of the free Big Shot offer and to get a discount on supplies for my Cards of Encouragement ministry that the Lord is leading me in.  If you would like to help support me in this ministry and need quality paper crafting supplies, please visit my SU website at www.elizabeth_challenor.stampinup.net to make a purchase.

This card uses the colors from SCS Color Challenge 346 and SCS Sketch Challenge 357.  I love this sketch because the butterfly is one of the required elements!

Recipe:
Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases - SU
Paper:  WW, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, DP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosilit, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Rhinestone Gems

Soft Sympathy

It feels like I have sent out a few too many sympathy cards over the past week.  This one is for a friend who had a close family member die very unexpectantly.  The sketch is from last weeks SCS Sketch Challenge 355.  The colors I pulled from the DP.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Beautiful Borders - SU
Paper:  Mellow Moss, VV, DP
Ink:  Mellow Moss Craft, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Clear EP, Heat Tool, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower

Thoughtful Sympathy

This card is made for some friends who recently lost a loved one.  The sketch is for the challenge at MFTWSC41 and the colors are from SCS Color Challenge 311.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, Beautiful Borders
Paper:  Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, WW
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Rose Red, Perfect Plum
Accessories:  Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Pearls

Be Strong & Courageous

I made this card using the sketch from Mojo Monday 211.  The colors came from the ribbon I chose.

Recently I saw the movie Courageous and I found it to be very inspiring.  Even though I don't have a husband or sons, I feel that I am called to pray for the men that I come in contact with at church, work, friends and even internet acquaintances to be courageous in God and rely on His strength.  I made this card for one young man who has been struggling with discouragement and loneliness recently.  To keep his identity private I will refer to him as Jay.  For those of you that know the Lord Jesus Christ, I would ask that you keep Jay and the other men that God may lay on your heart in prayer.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Joshua 1:9 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD
Paper:  Taken with Teal, Barely Banana, DSP
Ink:  Taken with Teal - SU, Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Tim Holtz
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dies, Button

Be Still

This card was made for SCS Sketch Challenge 353 and Color Challenge 343.  I have been so busy lately that I feel like I rarely get a moment to take a breath.  In the busyness I get frustrated when things do not go my way and think all my time and effort have been wasted.  Psalm 46:10 reminds me that God is God and in control of everything and I am not.  The trials of this life are not wasted time but lessons and building blocks to prepare us for even greater challenges that God has prepared for us.  I believe that through these challenges, He is teaching me to rely on Him and His power and not on my own.

Recipe:
Stamps: Psalm 46:10 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Soft Suede, VV, DP
Ink:  Soft Suede
Accessories:  Nestabililties, Paper Piercer, Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower