DRS Challenge #154 Winter Wonderland

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Here is my Winter Wonderland card for this week's challenge.

DRS stamps: Christmas Village Church 107D, Christmas Village 4 in 1 accessories 119D, Pine Tree Snow Drift 320H, Christmas Blessings 646D, Woven Plaid 613P. 

My plaid was done with the cut apart plaid stamp which is available on cling foam. I used red, green and pink chalk inks.

My images looks a bit tilted but I think it is just the angle of the photo because it doesn't look that way in real life.  I used some Liquid Pearls and Stickles on the snow.  My ribbon is 1" White Satin.  The Christmas die is from Memory Box and the white dots in the corners are just enamel dots.

I hope that you will join in sometime this week for this Winter Wonderland challenge even though it is the Christmas week!  Have fun with it...maybe you'll win the prize!  Click HERE to join and to see the other designs samples.

I've made this post short and sweet because it IS Christmas Day after all!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Night Before Christmas Accordion Book

Merry Christmas everyone!

I re-wrote Twas The Night Before Christmas poem to go with the REAL reason for Christmas.  I did this a few years ago but just recently thought about putting it on my blog!  I may make this an annual post!  This book was also published in The Stamper's Sampler.

I discovered a very interesting effect when creating background paper for this book.  I wet a paper towel with bleach (which is nothing new) but then after dabbing my black linen stock or the Taupe stock, i heated the paper with my heat gun.  Only the bleached spots turned brown like toast!

cover: Stamp credits Toybox Stamps, Stampington & Co.  I did by own calligraphy in gold  acrylic ink and nib for the Title and Gold Calligraphy pen (poem inside).

1st and 2nd page stamp credits: Eureka, Stampington & Co., Stamper Anonymous.

Poem: "Twas the night before Christmas and on a donkey she rode, The journey was hard, the night was cold...No complaining was heard when a stable was given, she made up a bed and prayed to her Father in heaven."

3rd and 4th page stamp credits: No name on stamp for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, Angels and Shepherds-Stamps Happen.

Poem: "And there she gave birth in that lowly stall, to the King of kings and the Lord of all....The shepherds were told as angels were singing, they went to see Him glad hearts they were bringing."

5th and 6th page stamp credits: Three wise men-Stamps Happen, Open book and writing on book-Stampington & Co., Renaissance Art Stamps.

Poem: "Wise men were traveling they followed the star, they came to bow down they came from afar...Mary kept these things in her heart others told and quilled, the miracle of God the prophecy fullfilled."

Back cover stamp credits: Toybox Stamps, Eureka Stamps-John 3:16, Stampington & Co.-music.

All images were stamped on taupe cardstock treated or streaked with bleach except front cover and angels.  They were stamped on black which had been treated (streaked or sponged with bleach).  Black strips on covers were also stippled with gold acrylic. Radiant Pearls was also used in places for color.  Rhinestones and acrylic paint were used to accent. Gold Leaf Pen was used on some edges.  Book Binding Tape was used to hold the accordion book together.  A real feather was used for the quill.  Gold cord and thread were used throughout. Gold corner stickers were used, rubbed with antiquing.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas book on Christmas Eve.

Remember WHY we celebrate Christmas...the birth of Christ our Savior.

Find out about this miracle by reading Matthew 1:8-2:18 and Luke 1:5-2:38

ODBDSLC220 Sketch week 2

Good morning to everyone!

Today we start week two of this lovely sketch challenge.  I've chosen to use it as pictured today (pretty much anyway!)

ODBD stamps used: Let it Snow
ODBD dies used: Mini Tags die set
ODBD paper used: Christmas Collection 2014
I did a bit of embossing and sewing on my card today.  I put some Liquid Applique on my fence post and rails then heated it enough to get it to rise a little as well.

This sled reminds me of day gone by when I was a little kid.  We (my sisters and I) all had sleds like this.  We got them for Christmas one year and then we went up to Big Bear that Christmas vacation to use them!!  I have some pictures of that!

This Christmas when you are with your family, spend a little time thinking about the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  The baby born in a manger, the wise men coming from very far to worship Him, the shepherds being told about Him from a host of angels and going to see Him. Mary, being faithful to do as God directed even though some would not believe and would think badly of her.  Joseph, being willing to start his married life with a wife who could not really be his for almost a year because he was also told by an angel that this was from God.

The baby who was the Messiah, the Christ, God made flesh, and would grow up only to die for the sins of the world.  Yes, He did this for you and me.  He loves us that much!  The virgin birth took more than just the Holy Spirit indwelling Mary, it took her being obedient, Joseph being obedient, Jesus being obedient (oh yes, we think sometimes that Jesus was not until He was born of Mary but no, Jesus was and is, and ever will be. He left the riches of heaven to be born in a manger (a stall with animals all around).  John 1:1-4, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Me on my sled (left)
My mom and dad with the sleds Christmas Eve (right)






Please visit my design team sisters for more inspiration!

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen
DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC220 or to join the challenge click here. You have until December 30, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a  $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Christmas At Our House

Good morning all!! 

Wanted to show a few photos of our usual Christmas decor (part of it anyway). We do garland and Sugar Pine Cones (16"-24" cones) on our windows. I put up my Tole painting (the very little I have left) and our Christmas tree with about 4000 lights and over 1000 ornaments.  Yes, they are 3 and 4 deep on each branch.  Lots of crystal, shiny ornaments that reflect the lights and clear ornaments.  Nothing dark.  It really sparkles at night!

Christmas at our house!
We sometimes have snow too!!! We love it when that happens. This is the front and back of my house.

 This is a Father Christmas I made a few years ago.  I painted the eyes and made his body and outfit.  My sister, Vicki, chalked and fired his face and hands.

I used real fur (from a thrift shop) for the fur trim on his vest, boots and real mink on his hat (Also from a thrift store).

I also glued on all the hair, beard, eyebrows, etc.

There is so much on this guy and part of his outfit it

is impossible to show it all in photos.

The watch is set for 10 minutes till midnight.
The vest is lined with brocade.  The cord, lace, trim etc. is extensive.  The jewelry is all found objects from my mother's jewelry chest or a thrift store except for the cross which was an ornament.

Of course we decorate the rest of the dining, living room too with garland and Pine cones.  We live very close to the large Sugar Pine trees so it is an annual thing to collect some. 

Merry Christmas every one!

DRS Challenge #153-Color Challenge

Good morning to you all and happy Thursday!

These are the colors for our color challenge this week.

DRS stamps used: Christmas Village Cabin 212G, Tree Line Border 981P

Christmas Village 4 in 1 accessories 119D, Snowflake Background 187H

My background is done on glossy white paper by stamping with VersaMark and heat embossing with white.  I then used a combination of China Blue, Stormy Blue, Chipped Sapphire distress inks and sponged the color over the embossing then wiped off any excess. My foreground was done on white matte paper and cut out on the border line.  I stamped the tree border onto the glossy as well and then lined them up.  I stamped the tree border once more on shimmer blue and punched out a circle for the moon.  I cut it off at the border line.  I added lots of Diamond Dust to make everything sparkle.  When dry, I cut the panels into one decorative panel (Spellbinders) and then lined it with Silver Leaf Pen.  The card base is also Spellbinders.  I used a word die by Elizabeth Craft Designs on the sheer white ribbon.
I hope you like this and I hope you will join in the fun of the challenge.  There is always a prize given to some lucky winner.  Find the challenge, the other samples from all the designers and how to upload your sample HERE.

ODBDSLC220 Sketch week 1

Good morning everyone!

This week we are doing a sketch at Our Daily Bread Designs.  I turned it 90 degrees and also turned it inside out.  My star is the tag in this case. 

ODBD stamps used: Christmas Mini, We Three Kings
ODBD dies used: Splendorus Star, Shining Star (Bonus die).
ODBD paper used: Christmas Collection 2014
I also used an embossing folder and little gold half balls on each cross section. My ribbon is a sheer white with gold trim.

To see more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my design team sisters:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen 

DJ Rants  * Elizabeth Whisson  * Linda Carson 

The 3 Wisemen

Talk about hardship, can you imagine traveling for months on a camel?  The three (?) wise men (kings), traveled from the east (probably orient) to the city of David or Bethlehem by camel to see a newborn?

Yes, they had heard of the prophecy that a King would be born of a virgin, a Savior, the Christ.  This event was so important to them that they left their homes and brought (what would have been fortunes in that day)their treasures to this newborn.  They were willing to suffer the hardship of travel for months over difficult terrain and conditions.  They were led by a star! They were warned in a dream by God, NOT to go back the same way (because of Herod), so there was definitely danger involved with this quest. But they were still willing.  How willing are we to seek Him? Read Matthew 2:1-15

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC220 or to join the challenge click here. You have until December 30, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a  $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBDwebsite, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

DRS Challenge #152 Sing It To Me

Good Thursday morning to you all!!

This week our challenge at DRS is to use music in your card.

DRS stamps used: 220L Bubble Candle Oval, 1004F Triple Holly , 526K Nativity Ornament, 506P Silent Night Sheet Music. I made a frame with purple and white card stock and the A2 rectangle nesties from Spellbinders.  The sheet music was embossed in white and then sponged with Distress inks, Peacock Feathers, Broken China, Grape Preserves and Chipped Sapphire.  I stamped the candle on white and then masked it off and carefully taped off Joseph then inked Mary and Jesus and stamped.  I cleaned the stamp and taped off Mary and Jesus then stamped Joseph (I tape it and then ink the remainder and then remove the tape before stamping).  I use Copic Markers to color. In this case I purposely added the opposite colors on bubbles as if they are reflected then I removed some of the color to make it a bit mottled as shine and other colors might make it look.  The stars are silver stickers. I added a white oval mat to the oval on the candle.  I added Wink of Stella to the melted wax and to the bubbles then I added Glossy Accents to the top of the melted wax.
Masking and using different stamps together or part of stamps is just another way to breathe new life into some older stamps you may have.  Makes you look at your stamps in a whole new way!
To find the other design team samples and/or join in the challenge (music on your card), click HERE.

ODBDSLC219 Christmas with ODBD week 2

Good morning everyone!

Hope it is winter in your neck of the woods...It is still NOT winter here.  Hard to feel like Christmastime when it is so warm. Starting to feel like my Aussie friends!

But I can still imagine...Here is my winter center step card. 

ODBD stamps used:Warm Wishes, Mini Tag Sentiments
ODBD dies used:Gilded Gate, Mini Tags
ODBD paper used: Christmas Collection 2014
My center has three steps.  The trees and snowman are cut out and glittered and stuck on the very back.  The next layer has the ground and snowman so in real life, he looks VERY 3-D. I punched snowflakes and also used an old Spellbinder snowflake die set.  I die cut the garden gate (Gilded Gate) with silver and subbed some gunmetal Rub-Ons through the openings of the die.  I die cut a heart charm to go with the sentiment and also die cut two of the mini tags for the sentiment and Merry Christmas sentiment, then tied them all together with silver thread.

Please visit my other design team sisters for more inspiration:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC219 or to join the challenge click here. You have until December 14, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a  $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Joy To The World

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart for the Lord is come! He is come as a baby in the manger, as the Savior of the world, as the King of kings and Lord of lords, as the One who would die on the Roman cross for us because He loves us so much!

If we are down cast for any reason, all we need to do is remember the One who holds our lives in His hands, the One who gives us breath to breathe, the One who created all things and holds them together by His might.  He is our everlasting joy.  If we are His, we can have joy even in our trials, even in our darkest hour! Not "yippee, I'm so happy I'm having difficulty!" No, it's just that inner joy, the peace that passes understanding, the joy of knowing we have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!  

Do YOU have Him as your Lord? You can, just tell Him you are sorry for all the times you've failed,  ask Him to forgive you of your sin and tell Him you want Him to come into your heart.  Do it right now.  Then go tell someone.  Tell a local pastor or a friend you KNOW is a Christian and can help you on your way to knowing Him.  Turn 180 degrees from dark to His light.  HE will give you a new heart, a clean spirit! You can email me if you have questions.

DRS Challenge # 151 Hot Trends-Glitter

Hello all, good morning to you!

Our challenge this week is Hot Trends-Glitter

My card is glittered from top to bottom.  Red and Green glitter covered paper, Star Dust Stickles, Snow Crystals, Distress Straw Stickles, Icicle Stickles.

Border die is from Spellbinders. I stamped the reindeer then masked him and stamped the fence.  I kept the mask on and stamped the two houses.  Masked the houses and stamped the background snow drift trees and bare trees.  Unlike painting, with stamping you have to start in the foreground and move backward.  It takes a bit of planning but nothing is very difficult to do.  I always stamp on a post it after I stamp on my image panel so that I can cut out the post it image and use it for a mask.

 DRS stamps used: 1027H Christmas Fence, 341H Christmas Multi Greeting, 215D Christmas Village Slope Roof Cottage, 212G Christmas Village Cabin, 210G Christmas Village 4 in 1 #2, 119D Christmas Village 4 in 1 accessories, 188F Feeding Reindeer, 320H Pine Tree Snow Drifts. 

This Reindeer is getting all geared up for his flight around the world, well, so the children's story goes.  Right now he is eating magic grain...(I think it has fairy dust in it!) This whole scene looks like it has fairy dust all over it! In real life, this card is VERY sparkly, glitter everywhere!

Hey, get out there and get crafty! Your turn to make a glittery card and show it to us, you never know, you might win the weekly prize!

To find the other design team samples and/or to join in the fun with your own creation, click HERE.

ODBDSLC219-Christmas with ODBD week 1

Good morning all!

Welcome to December and all the Christmas cheer to follow!

ODBD stamps used: Chickadee Ornament, Mini Tag Sentiments, Let It Snow

ODBD dies used: Doily, Peaceful Poinsettia, Fancy Foliage, Circle Ornament, Matting Circles, Mini Tags

ODBD paper used: Christmas Paper Collection 2014

I started by making a center step card in white.  Cut out my panels of red/pink Our Daily Bread Designs paper and glued them to all my card surfaces.  I die cut the Doily in white and added some Inka Gold to it randomly.  I also cute two shades of green pine from the Fancy Foliage die set to hang my ornament from.  Die cut two white scrolls from Fancy Foliage and then cut out a bunch of Poinsettia pieces from red and coral paper, formed the petals and added some Inka Gold to the petal and put them together.  I added some gold seed beads to the centers and white Liquid Pearls to the stamen.  I cut out a gold cross from the new Mini Tag set and also the little Merry Christmas is from the Mini Sentiment and Mini Tag sets.  I cut out a matting circle from gold and the ornament holder from gold then hung the little cross as a charm.  The Chickadees and Sing To The Lord sentiment come from the same Chickadee Ornament stamp set.  Finally, I used a sentiment "From our house to yours" from the new Let it Snow stamp set and die cut it with a Spellbinders label die with slots for ribbon or in this case, Gold floss.  My bow at the top of the ornament is gold metallic ribbon.

Please visit my other talented design team sisters for more inspiration:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC219 or to join the challenge click here. You have until December 14, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a  $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Sing to the Lord- Let heaven and nature sing- all the heavenly host sing to the Lord. I think that God loves voices of praise to Him don't you?  When we sing, whether we have angelic voices or not, God loves to hear us sing to Him. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song... We can make up our own songs to Him!! 
Today, be thankful for the breathe of life and sing praise to the One who holds the universe together my His Word!  He gives us breath, He keeps our heart beating, He gives us hope and a future!! If nothing else, praise Him for another day, for waking up this morning.  There is always a reason to be thankful.  Go read Psalms 145 to 150 and come away with a heart of praise!

DRS Challenge #150 I Pine For You!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Well, the challenge this week is called "I Pine for You"  we are to use pine trees or pine branches in this creation!  I have some die cut trees today covered with white Liquid Pearls and crusted with glitter.

My snowman and bird from DRS is 232H Snowman Bird Buddies, and the sentiment is 229F In The Meadow sentiment from DRS.  I sort of made this hard on myself the way I made the card.  I stamped the snowman image on the bottom of a 4 X 5 1/4 panel then cut a slit at the top snow line (I should have just cut it all the way across, cutting out the bird and snowman at the top). So, I made my trees and glittered them then stuck them through the slit I made...I know, I didn't realize till I got done how dumb that was! It looks the same as if I had just placed the cut out snowman/snow image on top of the tree panel!! Oh well, live and learn! I made frames from an A2 rectangle die set from Spellbinders. There is a bit of Sky Blue Brilliance on the top part of my image panel but you can't see that very well.
Well, I know this is Thanksgiving but I hope you might get a chance this week to join the challenge!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Robin

ODBDSLC Blessings week 2

Good Tuesday morning to you all!  

This is our second week for the Blessings challenge.  That is use at least 4 letters from the word Blessings to make your card, as in: B=blue, L=lace, E=embossing, S=silver, S=stars, I=ink, N=nativity, G=glitter, S=shining

ODBD stamps used: The Nativity, Snowflake Star, O Little Town Of Bethlehem 

OBDB dies used: Shining Star, Splendorous Star, Beautiful Borders, Matting Circles, Circle Ornaments, Fancy Foliage

ODBD Paper used: Christmas Collection 2014

I started out with Our Daily Bread Christmas paper collection 2014 and silver embossed the O Little Town of Bethlehem on it for a background.  On a piece of white card stock, I silver embossed the Snowflake star and the Nativity then die cut each, the star with Splendorous Star die and the Nativity with the Circle Ornament.  I die cut another size from Splendorous Star dies in silver and the matting circles in silver plus the little ornament holder and the pine bough from the Fancy Foliage die set.  I also cut white from the Fancy Foliage die set.  I sprinkled the foliage with dots of Diamond Stickles.  Next I die cut the Beautiful border in silver and glued it to the bottom with some lace and silver decorative cord over the bottom of the die cut. I added a silver mat then glued it to a folded white card.  Lastly, I added a pretty silver metallic bow to the top corner and silver cord to the ornament as if it is hanging from the silver and white foliage.

Please visit my other design team sisters for more inspiration:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC218 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 30, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a  $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

I hope when you listen to music this Christmas, especially songs like O Little Town of Bethlehem, you think of the reason we celebrate Christmas.  Jesus, the Son of God, our Savior was born.  Born to save us from our sin.  To give us life eternal, if we will just believe and turn to follow Him. He cleanses you and makes you new...email me and ask me how.

DRS Challenge # 149-Color Challenge

Good Thursday morning to you all! This week's challenge is a color challenge.

These are the colors for our color challenge this week.

DRS stamps used: 279L Christmas Pine Oval,  613P Woven Plaid (cut apart).

I also used Spellbinder, Memory Box and Our Daily Bread Designs poinsettia dies. Martha Stewart Branch punch and Memory Box leaf dies.

The plaid was done by using the Woven Plaid stamp (cut into three parts) one part at a time with chalk inks. Warm Red was the large section then Rouge and then Lime Green.  I LOVE the way this Plaid turned out!! It made me want to do a bunch of plaid backgrounds just to have on hand!

I used the same colors for my layers of poinsettia petals and for my layers under the image panel.  The first mat is lime green and is so thin you can barely tell it's there, but it is. then rouge and finally red. 

This was really fun to make and I hope you will join the color challenge.  To find out more and to see the other design team member's card samples, please click HERE.  

ODBDSLC218 Blessings week 1

Good Tuesday morning to you all!

Today is the start of a new challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs.

The challenge is to use at least 4 letters in the word "Blessings".

 ODBD stamps used: The Babe
ODBD dies used: Shining Star, Splendorous Star, Flourish Star Pattern
ODBD paper used: Winter Collection

B=Blue, L=Lace, E=Embossing, S=Silver, S=Star, I= Ink, N= Nesting Stars, G=Glitter/Gold, S=Sparkle
Isn't that paper beautiful?  It is from the Winter collection at Our Daily Bread Designs.  All the paper is copper, gold and silver colors! I used glitter paper in gold and silver to make the star and added an amber star to the top. I used the outside die of Flourish Star Pattern for the rectangle with the stitch marks on it, love that die.  The star come from the bonus Shining Star die, Splendorous Star and Flourish Star Pattern dies. I added a piece of metallic, sparkly mesh behind baby Jesus to add some texture, sparkle and interest to the background. The baby Jesus image was colored with Copic markers and outlined with Gold Leaf Pen.  While the die was still on, I added some distress ink with a sponge.  I have brown lace at the bottom and a metallic gold ribbon bow to finish it off along with some amber rhinestones on each corner.  Thanks for visiting and now to get more inspiration, please visit my other design team sisters:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC218 or to join the challenge click HERE.  You have until 8:00 pm EST to join us.  By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD gift certificate good toward the purchase of stamps in the "stamp column" on ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge.  The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post.  Please do not post on Flickr as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Well, ready or not, the season is upon us and now it's time to reflect upon the reason we celebrate.  You know what I'm going to say right?  Yes, the ONLY reason there is a Christmas time is because of Christ Jesus.  We celebrate His birth at this time of year. No one is sure of the real date for Jesus birth but December 25th has been widely accepted as the date to celebrate His birth. His birth means the possibility of new birth for us as humans.  All we have to do is accept that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that He died for our sins and rose again to live forever.  When we do that, we are covered by His sacrifice.  He gives us a new spirit and a new heart.  What an incredible gift.  Even after blowing it completely, we can have a clean heart just my receiving Him as our Lord and Savior.  I can't tell you how good that feels.   Take time to reflect upon Jesus Christ this Christmas time. Jesus IS the reason for the season!  Read Matthew and Luke in the New Testament to read all about His birth.  It was foretold in many of the Old Testament books as well. Get to know Him because He did this for you, He loves you that much!

DRS Challenge # 148 Hang It Up!

Good Thursday morning to you all!!

Our new challenge this week is to "Hang it Up!"

My card today is a Bendi Frame Card.  As you can see, especially on the bottom photo, The frame is slightly larger than the card.  You actually make the card base 5 3/8" wide instead on 5 1/2"  then you make your frame the usual 4 1/4 X 5 1/2", put a strip of foam tape on each side (none on the top and bottom of course) and carefully line up each side with the side of the card base making the top bow out.  This adds a bit more dimension.

My sky was done by stamping the star background with VersaMark on glossy cardstock then heat embossing with clear powder.  I then rubbed a variety of dye inks on...I was trying for the Northern lights look.

My hanging feature is the Christmas lights at the top.  I cut each one out to hang then from Baker's twine.  I used white Liquid Pearls an Crystal Stickles on  the snow.   This was really fun to make, I hope you'll try it!

I used some new release Christmas Village stamps: Christmas Tree Lot 214E, Slope Roof House 215D, 4 in 1 Mailbox 210G, Lamp Post 226B, and also the Christmas Fence 1027H, Christmas Lights Card Edger 083P, Snowline Border 320H, Starry Background 124H and 4 in 1 Tree 119D 

Hope you can join the challenge and be in for winning a prize.  Please click HERE to join and also to see all the other designer's samples.

ODBDSLC217 Holiday week 2

Good morning everyone!! I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!

This is week two of our Holiday challenge.

ODBD stamps used: Wisemen Ornament, Snowflake Star
ODBD dies used: Fancy Foliage, Splendorous Star, Matting Ornaments, Circle Ornaments, Peaceful Poinsettia
OBDB Paper used: Winter Collection 2014
I started with ODBD paper then built up from there.  I stamped the Snowflake star, large and small with VersaMark then heat embossed with gold powder. I also stamped the Wisemen Ornament and embossed with gold. I used the ODBD dies to cut all of the stamped items out.  The ornament is matted with gold.  I die cut a bunch of poinsettias and formed them then put them together with glue dots.  They have gold micro beads for centers.  I also die cut 2 fancy foliage scrolls in white.
Before gluing my ODBD paper to a gold card, I wrapped it with metallic gold sheer ribbon and another solid ruffly ribbon at the top then I glued it to the card base.  Made a bow and attached with a glue dot and glue.

Please visit my design team sisters for more inspiration:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson
Thanks for visiting!

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC217 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 16, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Matthew 2:9-11

"When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh".

Did you notice that? The star went before them.  It guided them...it moved to where the Child was.  Take that in for a minute.  the STAR MOVED to guide them.  That is no ordinary star.  Stars have their place, God put them in their place, but THIS star moved before them until it came to rest where the Child was. Remember in Exodus, how the fire went before the people of Israel by night and the cloud went before them during the day. God used elements of earth to guide the people, it went before them.  When it stopped, the people stopped. Just thinking out loud here.  God uses the ordinary things of earth in His extraordinary way to guide us. But don't get off track here, God has given us His Word to guide us first and foremost.   If something doesn't go along with His Word, it's NOT HIM trying to guide you.  "His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". Ps.119: 105. He will NEVER have us do something that is against His Word!  That is why we need to have His Word hidden away in our hearts.  We need to be transformed by His Word and that can only happen if we are studying His Word.  Those wisemen, they had been studying ancient manuscripts (maybe even Isaiah).  They knew that the star would lead them to the new born KING of kings.  There are several books of the Old Testament that foretell the coming of the Messiah.  Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" Immanuel means God with us. Isaiah 9:6 says "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Just food for thought.  Think about Him today.

DRS Challenge #147-Hot Trends- Just Half

Hello everyone!! Good Thursday morning to you all.

Here is a sample for the new challenge this week where you are to use only half an image.  My pine trees from the 4 in one set 119D, are just half and my Pine Tree Snowdrift is just a partial as well.  I also cut some little silver stars in half.

DRS stamps used: 506P Silent Night Sheet Music, 210G New Release Village 4 in 1, 226B New Release Lamp Post, 320H Pine Tree Snowdrifts, 119D Christmas Village 4 in 1, 107D Christmas Village Church
My sky is done with alcohol inks on glossy cardstock.  I added some metallic silver to my applicator with some more blending solution to add some sparkle.  I used a Martha Stewart Around the Page punch for the snowflake border and punched it again in white so that I could use the punched out snowflakes in the border.  My starts are stickers.  I used torn cardstock for the layers of snowdrifts in the foreground and then used Stickles on them.  Everything except the people has Stickles on it.   My 4 in 1 trees (119D) are cut in half and glued to the little snowy scene.
Come and join the fun and also see the other designer's samples by clicking HERE.

ODBDSLC217-Holiday week 1

Good morning all!

ODBD stamps used: Christmas Mini set
ODBD dies used: Flourished Star Pattern, Splendorous Stars, Bonus Star die
ODBD paper used: Christmas collection 2014
There is very little stamping on this particular card.  It is mostly a card using these gorgeous new dies at Our Daily Bread Designs.  Oh, I just love them!  They all fit together so nicely.  I used all aqua and white for this card and used the ODBD new Christmas Collection paper for the background.

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC217 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 16, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. 

To see more card creations, please visit my talented design team sisters:

Cheryl Scrivens * Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen

DJ Rants * Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson
Thanks for visiting today!
Matthew 2:1-2
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
Can you imagine traveling hundreds of miles to see a baby because of a star?  God must have put it in there hearts to study the old testament scriptures and other literature of the day to know that there would be a King of kings born in Bethlehem of Israel and that He was someone who should be worshiped by all.  They brought gold and precious gifts to Him from their country.  Who is this Jesus that we should worship Him?  He is the King of kings, Lord of lords and Savior of the world to all who will believe.  These wise men studied Him, now we get to study Him, if we are wise.  Find out more about the birth of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.  Together they paint the picture that was fore-told in the old testament about the coming of the Messiah.

DRS Challenge #146 Any Autumn Holiday

Good Thursday to you all!

Hope you are having a lovely week so far and hope you're enjoying the fall weather!

Well, the challenge this week is for any Autumn holiday, so since tomorrow is Halloween, I decided to take this last opportunity !

DRS stamps used: Count Porkula 134D, Vertical Happy Halloween 538D, Spooky Tree w/Moon 070L, Accent Bats 517A, Snowy tree w/fence 144M
I only had to do a bit of masking for this little scene.  I stamped Count Porkula first then masked him and stamped the spooky tree w/moon.  Then I stamped the snowy tree with fence.  I changed the piles of snow to piles of leaves.  Hey why not? I colored with Copics including the sky that is a blue and purple/pink. I added a die cut bat and a die cut fence.  The jack-o-lantern in front is a decorative brad.
To see the other designers cards and to join in the fun by making a card yourself, click HERE.
Remember, there is a prize given!!!
Have a great rest of your week and get stampin!
Robin

ODBDSLC216 Scripture Inspiration Week 2

Good morning everyone!! Hope you are having a lovely Tuesday and 

enjoying the crisp fall air!

ODBD stamps used: Mother and Child Ornament, The Babe
ODBD dies used: Peaceful Poinsettias, Beautiful Borders, Vintage Flourish Pattern, Circle Ornaments, Matting Circles
I die cut the blue background and then ran it through with a 6 X 6 embossing folder to create the snowflake texture.  The piece that was die cut out, I lined with silver leaf pen. I then die cut the smaller cut with silver shimmer. I stamped the Mother and child ornament and the sentiment on white with VersaMark then used silver detail powder to heat emboss.  These were then die cut,  The ornament was matted with silver. The poinsettias were die cut and stenciled with silver ink using the die (it has a pattern in the center of each petal). I cut a couple more poinsettias in silver then cut them apart to use as leaves.  I added silver micro beads to the centers.  I also cut two beautiful borders for top and bottom.  When I put the card together, I popped up the ornament and sentiment from the blue layer. The blue layer is popped up from the silver card base so that the window cut out could be sunk down a level.  I used silver metallic ribbon for a bow and tucked in here and there among the poinsettias.

To see all the projects created for ODBDSLC216 or to join the challenge click here. You have until November 4, 2014 at 8:00pm EDT to join us. By participating in the challenge, you have a chance to win a $15 ODBD Gift Certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the “stamps column” on the ODBD website, or to be spotlighted on the ODBD Blog at our next challenge. The random prize winner will be posted on our next challenge post. Please do not post on Flicker as many of us do not have the ability to comment on your cards nor can we spotlight your cards on the blog.

Please visit my talented design team sisters to see more cards for this challenge.

Cheryl Scrivens * Diana Nguyen * DJ Rants

Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson

"A Time to be born"

God's timing was perfect.  As you investigate Jesus in the Bible you see in old and new testament, everything lining up. God is so awesome in His plan.  This King Jesus, who was born to die for the rescue of the world, was born not to a royal family, in a palace full of riches.  The King of kings was born to a poor teenage girl and her betrothed.  Before she was married, the Holy Spirit of God came to her and caused her to be with child.  She never was with a man.  Can you imagine what she went through in that day and age and what her husband to be, must have thought?  It was not easy being part of God's plan.  Thankfully, God visited Joseph as well and let him know that indeed, Mary was still a virgin, she had done no wrong.   This child was to be the savior of the world, to all who would believe.  He was born to die.  He walked among us, being gentle and kind teaching and healing people.  Forgiving them and changing their lives.  He said "go and sin no more".  He gave hope to a dying world. He lived among us but never sinned, never deserved to die.  He was willing to endure the horrible death on a Roman cross and to be beaten and spit upon for us.  He felt the pain just like you or I.  Yes, He was God but He was fully man as well while He was on this earth with us.  He knew what He would have to endure and He did it anyway!  When people say "Jesus loves you", think about what He did, yes, indeed, Jesus DOES love you.  It is not just a children's song or a cliche saying...He really does love you.

I felt that love when I came to Him!  He took me from the dark blackness of my life and brought me into His marvelous light.  The feeling of freedom and a changed heart was over-whelming. I still feel His love today and every day!  His mercies are new every morning!!