Distressed Fun!

Tim Holtz, eat your heart out! (LOL!)

CONFESSION:

OK, so I am crazy about all things grunge. By trade I have been doing graphic design for churches and with many young adult or youth oriented projects, I fell in love with the grunge and distressed techniques!! I wish there was more of this in the stamping world! I had the joy of seeing a lot of Tim Holtz's distressed stuff at the CHA convention and it left me inspired.

This was a fun card I made for my father-in-law. He is a number cruncher and has involuntarily become the accountant for our families. He does the taxes, he keeps the business accounting straight for Cruise and Crop... let's just say, this man rocks! SO, I wanted to make a card that was more masculine, and I started out with the light blue cardstock and found the cool pattern paper to go with it. HOWEVER, I will actually be brave enough to admit that my hand was not steady and all the sudden I had ink in all the wrong places... so what did I do?

I LISTENED TO MY MOTHER! :)

>>> Back when I was a kid, I dreamed of being an artist. I had art sets with all kinds of supplies. I loved big pads of thick white paper, but whenever it wasn't perfect I was ready to tear it up and start over. Maybe my mom was being insightful OR maybe she knew that we didn't have moola to replace all my 'oops moments'... so I will never forget the sound of her voice "An artist never messes up!" Her point? Just work with it, make adjustments... you might actually like that better!

Well, that is exactly what I did for this card. I kept playing with it. I kept stamping. I embossed a rich black texture around the edges. I also added the black brads on the pattern paper for more depth and a metal feel. And so I must say thanks to Mom for her advice. I think she was right!

NEVER GIVE UP!

Looking at how much creative effort went into this little card makes we especially thankful that the God I worship does not ever give up on me. He's the Creator of all things (and that means me!) and He continues to work in my life. I think a big lie that people believe is that God has given up on them, that he's thrown them out with the trash. Don't believe that junk!!! Remember this scripture from the heart of your Creator...

Philippians 1:6... being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Even when I mess up, even when life doesn't look perfect and I am all covered in ink... God still pursues me, loves me, and works on me. In Ephesians 2 it shares that we are God's workmanship, the NLT says we are His MASTERPIECE. I maybe not feel pretty some days, but I am glad to know that my Savior, Jesus, is still masterfully shaping me into who I was created to be!!

Guess what?!?! HE HASN'T GIVEN UP ON YOU EITHER!! Today is the perfect day to start talking to God again... and a great day to start listening for His voice, too!

Another Year!

If there is any permanent staple in the paper crafting world, it would have to BIRTHDAY CARDS!! There is always a birthday coming around the corner! With a big family, and wonderful friends, I am always working on a card to send out.

BIRTHDAY CARDS ARE THE BEST. Aside from my other favorite card to make which is a just because, and really just to uplift and encourage someone, Birthday cards are so important.

Statistics show that people today are more lonely than ever. We may have all this fancy technology to connect, but we also must close the gap between out computers and real friendship. I believe that a hand made card does just that! People get to see your creativity, your heart, and appreciate your time given to bless them.

TWO THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR FRIENDSHIPS BLOSSOM... First, I think it's important to remember and celebrate their birthday. And Second, be loyal and faithful as they endure a harship or trial. Some of my best friends are the ones who rode out difficulty with me. I remember my friend who cared for me after getting my wisdom teeth out. I remember my friend who brought food and cried with me when my dad had a heart attack. I remember my friend who fought for truth and justice when others attacked and lied about me. These are great friends. I love them and I cherish them.

OK... So back to the birthday card.

For some reason I always get creatively stuck when making birthday cards-- I get bored with the sentiments and always look for something more original. I will be showing off some birthday cards I made in bulk in my nexy post, but for now... here is a fun card. I actually made if for my brother in law. I was trying not to make it too girly, though I love the florals on the papers and I had to add rhine stones and glitter on the background paper. But the green PTI cardstock with the blue colors convinced me that it would work.

I am so excited that my new PTI scallop border should be arriving any day now, but I couldn't wait to put the technique to use. So, I figured that a circle punch would help me out. :)

OF course, I must always have to pay tribute to my SLICE, for the sentiment, and my Cuttlebug for fun texture!

Check out Nichole's blog for the exciting Papertrey Ink countdown for this month!!

With God All Things are Possible.

This card is a tribute to my PAPA. My mother's dad recently underwent surgery to be rid of the cancer he has been fighting. He is such a special part of our family. He is a man who is brave, strong, and a fighter. He was always the guy who would put all us kids to work on a project. He was never bored. He loved to work with his hands and he had a great big laugh that brought the family together. I will never forget him waking up at the crack of dawn and making pancakes and eggs at the cabin for the whole family to enjoy on the deck. I love my Papa. He is doing well after surgery, but we pray for continued strength. This card was intended to bring peace, strength, and courage. :)

This card features PTI's Life stamp set and Dark chocolate ribbon with Basic Grey paper and accents from my SLICE and new favorite toy... The Cuttlebug! I love the dark silhouette created over the patterned paper with the stamps. And you may not be able to tell, but of course, I glittered up my stamp images, too!

You are Precious to Me

Hello Dear Bloggers!

My son is napping so I have a precious few minutes to blog and do emails and all the grown up correspondence I get for the day.

I love this card. It's simpy, it's masculine, it's trendy... and it was all made out of scraps. The stamp is from Close to My Heart. I love their most recent idea book! Wow! I want them all!

Of course my slice, a little glitter and some bling always do the trick! This stamp was actually the inspiration for the PTI Bday Bash free download I provided a few weeks ago.

I love having a card in my drawer that is really appropriate for anything... and this sentiment is totally better than "Just Because"... I love to send cards to just cheer people up and lift their spirits. I am the type of person who holds on to special cards for so long so after receiving them. The words are such an encouragement to me and I re-read the cards over and over. Have a happy happy crafy day and be sure to tell those you love that you really do love them!