Beyond Challenged!

I've been STAMPING! A lot!
I've been inspired.
~By my new SU stuff...I love Sale-a-bration Time!
~By my new friends at TOPS.
(Five very sweet ladies I couldn't wait to make cards for!)
~By all of the great sketches and challenges out there!
~By the hint of spring we had this week.
All of that equals BEYOND CHALLENGED!
I've got 3 cards to show you today and a couple more tomorrow! They all go so well together along with the little bird card I posted yesterday!

This first card I made using Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) from last week. I have got to try this week's sketch next...looks great!

My next card combines 2 challenges. The sketch from Card Positioning Systems and the challenge from Our Creative Corner which was to use a tag!

Last, but not least is this last week's Verve- Mojo Monday sketch was promised to be Layerlicious and did not fail! I think it was my favorite!

That's about all from me today... a few more tomorrow.
I received some sad news this morning so I may be doing even more stamping to get my mind off it.
See you soon!
~Angel

Card Recipes:
SFYTT Double Heart Card~
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches (SU) You Bless Me (Stampabilities)
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand
Paper: Celery, Saffron, White, Delicate Dots DP
Accessories: Swiss Dots CB folder, Scalloped Oval and Oval Punches, small flower(Mike's $ bin), square punch for banner edges, MM mini brads
OCCC/CPS104 Flower Trio Card~ (size is 4.25" square)
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, Short & Sweet (SU)
Ink: Celery, Saffron, Bashful Blue
Paper: Saffron, Celery, White, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Swiss Dots CB folder, Corner rounder, SU punches- 5 petal flower, 1/2" circle, retired flower, Spellbinder tag trio die, fibers from EK Success & SU
Mojo Psalm 46:10~
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, Verve- Plain Jane Psalm
Ink: Celery, Bashful Blue
Paper: Celery, Saffron, Bashful blue, White, SU Delicate Dots DP
Accessories: SU Punches: Eyelet Border, Full Heart, Small Flower (Mike's $ bin), MM brads

ODBD Sketch

Remember when I told you about the ODBD Sketch? I can't believe it has taken me this long to post my card for the sketch!
And I am posting on the run, so I'll be back with the deets! Gotta pick up my little girl! ETA: While checking my supplies, I realized that I had used Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder on my flower middles instead of my Dazzling Diamonds glitter. OOPS! I heat set the EP and now it looks better. I wondered why the glitter looked so weird! HA!
Blessings~

Card Recipe:
Size- 4.25" Square
Stamps~ Sing to the Lord (ODBD)
Ink~ Memento Black and various inks to watercolor
Paper~ So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Shimmery White, SU Delicate Dots DP
Accessories~ Blender pen, Iridescent Ice EP

Serenity Prayer

I've got another sneak peek for you today. This single stamp titled "Serenity Prayer" will be available for purchase March 1st from Our Daily Bread Designs.I've stamped the prayer in one of my many beloved but hugely neglected Kaleidacolor pads and then framed it in Nestabilities. This is another large card at 5 1/2 inches square. It does remind me of autumn a bit. But, I love the colors of fall. Why not use them year round?
Thank you for checking in with me today. I've got lots of projects I am working on, so I'll be back tomorrow!
Blessings~
Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ Serenity Prayer (ODBD)
Ink~ Cappucino Delight K Pad
Paper~ Choc Chip, Really Rust, Daisy D's and Provo Craft DPs
Accessories~ Cuttlebug Floral Screen Folder and Vintage Die, Top Note die (SU), Distresser, Ribbon FX ribbon, Nestabilities

A Sale!

Thought you might like to know....

Addicted to Rubber Stamps is having a BIG sale!
25% off EVERYTHING!
Today only!
2.25.09

Click here to shop!

Featuring My Friend, Jami!

I was so excited to see that my sweet friend, Jami Bova was the Splitcoast Featured Stamper this week. If you aren't familiar with this challenge, the concept is simple... CASE (copy) a card from the Featured Stampers gallery changing a few things to make it your own. I had a lot of fun just browsing through Jami's gallery. She's SUPER talented! I chose this card in her SCS Gallery.
Jami not only stamps, she designs stamps! Her stamp line is available through 2 Red Bananas. I was so excited when Jami's sweet Easter set called "The Gift" arrived in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago!
I've been so busy on other projects that I hadn't had a chance to ink it up until now! The Featured Stamper Challenge was the perfect opportunity!
Thank you for visiting me today!
I'm so glad you did!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ The Gift (2RB)
Ink~ Palette Black, Rose Red, Various Ink Pads for Blender Pen Technique
Paper~ Paper Trey White, Creamy Caramel, SU Print Patterns DP
Accessories~ Classic Scallop Rectangles Nesties, Paper Studio Border punch, small flower punch, pearls, SU Scallop Border punch, Opal Shimmerz, Blender pen, Dimensionals

Time for a Sneak Peek!

I just received this set in my mailbox yesterday! It's called "I am the Potter" and will be available from Our Daily Bread Designs on March 1st! It's SO much fun to play with! Now, as much as I would love to be able to expertly watercolor or even color with markers, etc with line images, it's really not my forte. I still play around with it from time to time because I think it's fun. But, I'm really just not that good at it. BUT, I can cut pretty well with a pair of scissors and these pots look SO cool paper pieced (stamped on DP and cut out). Don't you think? No coloring needed!I stamped the pots on some Basic Grey background papers and cut them out, adhered them to another Basic Grey paper and then added some Crystal Effects for lots of shine and dimension.
I used Beate's Weekend Sketch for this one because as soon as I saw the sketch this idea popped into my head.
I love how this card turned out and I have really liked everything I've seen so far from the design team with this set. It has LOTS of possibilities!
I may have some time later today to stamp some more and play with that awesome new ODBD sketch! I hope you'll play too!
Oh, and March marks the one year anniversary of Our Daily Bread Designs. We've got some fun stuff planned for you!! So stay tuned!
Blessings~
Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ ODBD "You are the Potter"
Ink~ Palette Black
Paper~ Really rust, Choc Chip, Basic Grey DPs
Accessories~ Crystal Effects, MM brads, Linen thread, Paper Studio border punch

An ODBD Sketch Challenge!

Would you like a sketch to play with this weekend?
The ODBD Blog has a fabulous sketch to get your creative juices flowing!
AND if you use ODBD stamps you can win some blog candy too!
Here is the sketch:

Remember- when uploading your cards to the ODBD gallery or SCS gallery, please use keyword ODBDSC02 AND ODBD so we can find it and leave you some comment love! Be sure to comment at the ODBD Blog when you play so you'll be entered to win this: I hope to be back with my sketchy card soon!!
Have a FABULOUS weekend!
~Angel

Pretty Lilies!

I love a challenge. This month our ODBD design team had a challenge and it was a fun one- to send another team member a Valentine or friendship card. And pink was the only requirement. Names were drawn and secretly passed out. I love surprises so it was a no brainer for me. Of course I had to play!
The card I received this week came all the way from Japan! It was from the VERY talented Sita. Isn't it beautiful?

I love the stitching which was on each and every panel! You should know... pictures just don't do the cards justice!
And the card I made went to New York to see the Oh SO sweet Chris. My picture was a little on the bright side and hard to see that back panel which really is PINK! I used SU Candy Lane DP.

Both Sita and I used one of the pretty lilies from the Our Daily Bread Designs set "I am the Way" which you can see certainly doesn't have to be an Easter set!
That's all from me today.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
~Angel

Card Recipes:

Sita's Card (as copied from her blog post here)
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs I Am The Way
Paper: White, Creamy Carmel, Really Rust, DP
Ink: Black, Creamy Carmel
Tools & Accessories: Clear EP, Ribbon, Cuttlebug & Folder, SU Punches, Prismacolor Pencil, Mineral Spirits, Sewing Machine

Love Card~
Stamps: Iam the Way (ODBD), Hope Is (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Lipstick Red Colorbox Chalk
Paper: Real Red, Candy Lane DP, Unknown embossed white DP, white
Accessories: Top Note Die, SU Rub-on, pearls and gems, button and white embroidery floss, Oval punch, Iridescent Ice EP

Got MOJO?

Mojo?
Well, sometimes I wonder where my Mojo goes!
Or sometimes I wonder if I've ever had it.
But, seriously... I ran across the Mojo Monday sketch this morning as I was surfing the net at 5:30 AM! It was way too early to be stamping, but I was feeling inspired by the sketch, so I made a cup of Chai and went for it! 5 hours later and here I am posting it.
These My Mind's Eye papers have served me well! I love the color combo and have used these papers several times now. I may have a few more cards left here too. Who knows?

Today's card uses the Our Daily Bread Designs' February release- "May God Hold You". I love the Irish Blessing poems in this set. I hope you can make out the Celtic cross behind the verse too! It is so pretty!
I hope you're having a great week.
I'll be back tomorrow!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ ODBD "May God Hold You"
Ink~ Blue Bayou and Soft Sky for sponging
Paper~ Real Red, Blue Bayou, Vanilla, My Mind's Eye "Out & About" DP
Accessories~ Michael's Trim It Up ribbon, Textile Texture CB folder, Martha Scalloped Circle punch, Paper Studio giant brad, My Mind's Eye Magnolia rub-on, dimensionals, sponge

Black Tie "Keep my Lamp Burning"

I had some time to play today and since it is Wednesday, I decided to check out the weekly sketch over at Splitcoast. I found it very challenging... but I guess that is why they call it a Sketch Challenge! But, I picked up the new "Keep my Lamp Burning" set from ODBD and went for it.
I've never been disappointed with a set from Our Daily Bread! This is a set I most definitely would have bought (no matter the cost), if I weren't getting it as a DT member anyway. I do love that perk!
Check out the Card Gallery over at the ODBD site. It is full of masterpieces made with this fabulous set!

As you can see from looking at it, the artsy lighthouse image has a space where you can put one of 4 verses. But, you know, that isn't ALL you can do and the gallery is proof! The possibilities are endless!
So, here is the SCS sketch (SC216).

And here is my card. I adore black and silver together. Very "formal" looking, thus my post title "Black Tie".
That's all from me today... I'm going to try and get even more stamping done.
Blessings!
Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ Keep my Lamp Burning (ODBD)
Ink~ Going Grey, Palette Black Noir
Paper~ PaperTrey White, Basic Black, OLD SU Silver, EK Success DP, Masterpiece Studios DP (ODBD
Accessories~ Argyle CB Folder, Paper Studio Peel off Stickers, 3L photo corners, CM Circle cutter

A Rub-On Challenge

One of my favorite places on the net and one of my favorite blogs of all is Scrapnextras! Laura consistently cranks out such beautiful creations! And not just one a day like me. LOL Her weekend sketch sets are always something I look forward to. So, when Laura issued a Stash Challenge, I was most definitely interested.
I've been collecting stamp supplies for a long time. I've got more than I'll ever use and, well.... that doesn't stop me from collecting either.
One thing I've got a lot of is rub-ons. For some reason they hold a particular allure for me. I think I would have a lot more if they were priced right! As it is I have a shoebox full.
Rub-ons are what Laura and I decided would be our challenge. And it turns out I was good for 2 cards with rub-ons! Who knew? Maybe Laura is rubbing off on me?

Oh, I could only hope!
Here is my rub-on duo! See the recipe for all the details! And don't forget to see what Laura's got up her sleeve!Have a blessed day!
~Angel

Card Recipes:
You're Awesome Card
Stamps~ Oh, none
Ink~ None of that either
Paper~ Old Olive, American Crafts "Metropolitan" DP
Accessories~ American Crafts "Mini Marks" Rub-ons, Soft Sky stitched ribbon (flower & sentiment), K&Co decorative brad

You & Me Card

Stamps~ Nope
Ink~ Nada
Paper~ Baja Breeze. American Crafts "Metropolitan" DPs
Accessories~ Petite Scalloped Circle Nesties, SU "Cherished Memories" Rub-ons, Textured Trios Dotted White ribbon, dimensionals

Happy "V" Day!

I am a BIG fan of Valentine's Day! I love pink and red and hearts and roses and everything about it!
Valentines are my favorite cards to make!
I gave my hubby and my baby girl both gift cards for some special little things. I got these last year after valentine's day so the expiration date is this month. Hey... that could work to my advantage! I found a very cool gift card holder tutorial on Splitcoast (TLC196 instructions here) which I used at Christmas time. I brought it out again for Kevin and Katie's Valentines.
Here is Kevin's card!
One of my favorite card designs is to coordinate squares and arrange them on the card front. the possibilities are endless and it's SO much fun!And Katie's card:

I was so excited to see Beate's Sketch return this week! I made Katie's Valentine based on her sketch!
That's all for me today.
Have a LOVEly day!
~Angel

Card Recipes
Kev's card~
Stamps: Lips-SU Incentive Stamp, Sentiments: Michael's $1 bin and All Night Media Susan Branch scroll, inside CTMH
Ink: Choc Chip, real red
Paper: Choc Chip, Real Red, Vanilla, Candy Lane DP (SU), My Mind's Eye DP inside
Accessories: Crystal Effects, Red Stickles, Dimensionals, Circles and Scalloped Square Punches (SU), Divine Swirls CB Folder, Metal tag (?), Red Heart Button (Stash), Trim it Up gold edged ivory ribbon, Bobbin Ribbon fibers, Susan Branch stickers

Kt's Card~
Stamps: Mostly Flowers (SU)
Ink: Berry Sorbet
Paper: Real Red, Vanilla, Choc Chip, Candy Lane DP

Accessories: Woven Tag (MM), Scalloped Square Punch (SU), Michaels $1 stickers, CM Circle Cutter, EK Success heart punch

Rainbow Sherbet?

I told you I would have another card for you today! What I didn't expect was for the power to go out for a few hours this morning. I would have been here sooner...really!
For today's card I went looking for a challenge and found the perfect 2 at Splitcoast. I used this week's sketch challenge along with an older color challenge to use Orchid Opulence, So Saffron and Cameo Coral. For some reason it does kinda remind me of Rainbow Sherbet colors! But, what a perfect combination for my pretty "I Am The Way" set- a February release from Our Daily Bread Designs!
I applied Stickles and Crystal Effects to the lilies which I've stamped on the same paper (Pocketful of Posies stack- DCWV) as that in the background. And the flowers are cut out and popped up! I so love dimension!!

For more details see my recipe at the end of this post!
Tomorrow is Valentine's day so I am off to make my Valentine a Valentine.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings
~Angel

Card Recipe: Uses SC215 and CC198
Stamps~ I am the Way (ODBD), French Script(SU)
Ink~ Palette Black, Baby Powder Kaliedacolor pad
Paper~ Cameo Coral, White, Orchid Opulence, So Saffron, Glossy White, Pocketful of Posies DCWV DP
Accessories~ Cuttlebug folders- Swiss Dots, Floral Fantasy, Distressing tool, Word Window punch, Crystal Stickles, Crystal Effects, pearls, Wide White Satin ribbon (a gift from Korea!), Dimensionals

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Today is my baby boy's birthday.
I'm kinda sad. I wish I could be there to give him a birthday hug!
Here is a picture of Brian when he was the best man at Jake's wedding (oldest son).

Isn't he handsome in a tux? So hard to believe he's 21! Where do the years go??
Hopefully he gets his birthday card in the mail today. It seems to take forever to get mail at his school!
Here is said card.

The Happy Birthday comes from a Sellabration set from a couple years ago. I don't recall the name... anybody know? I have my sentiments all separated into acrylic cases for each particular theme... i.e. all birthday stamps in one case. I find it so much easier to find the perfect greeting this way, but it's more difficult to
give my card recipes!
Ooops.
Anyway, the sentiment really sparkles as it is embossed with "Disco Black" embossing powder! FUN stuff.
Hope you all are having a fabulous week. I'll be back tomorrow with another card!
Blessings~
Angel

Card Recipe~
Stamps: Alphabet Soup (thanks, Kathie!)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Paper Trey White, Black, Ruby Red, Basic Grey "Cupcake" DP
Accessories: Paper Piercing tool, denim blue eyelets, May Arts black swirl ribbon, Scor-Pal, Stamp-N Stuff Disco Black EP

Valentine Treats

Who doesn't like Ghirardelli Chocolates? When I saw this tutorial for making these adorable Ghirardelli boxes, I knew I would be making some to send to my kids! I always try to get them a little package for every holiday. Valentines is one of my faves! Each of these little boxes holds 3 little chocolate wafers. I maybe could have gotten 4 in, but I think it was pushing it so I stuck with 3.The tutorial was well-written and easy to follow. Beate has a knack for that! With the help of my Scor-Pal, Katie and I whipped these up in just a couple of hours. She has a favorite teacher and we made one for her as well as a few other friends. Most of them were personalized with the name computer generated and punched out and added to the top. I used my scalloped border punch for the flaps on the girls. I might have gotten carried away and did one
of the boys with it too. Oops. These were fun. I love a fun project!
Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by!
~Angel

Project Supplies:
Scor-Pal, various red, brown and pink cardstocks, "Candy Lane" DP by SU, Scalloped Circle and oval punches (SU), and 2 Step heart die (Cuttlebug)

February Divine Design

It's the 9th of the month and you know what that means!
Divine Design!
Because February is the month of LOVE, I wanted my page to be about LOVE! I didn't have to look far to find my verse either. I received a beautiful calendar in the mail for Christmas and each month includes a wonderful scripture. This month had 1 John 4:7 poetically written in the King James version. I knew right away that it would be my BVC09 verse! Thank you, Linda!
I typeset the scripture in PhotoShop first, but it just wouldn't print right... so off to my reliable Word program I went.
I dug and dug through my designer paper stash looking for a red background paper. I came across this black and pink polka dotted piece and it just struck my fancy. I had a cool ribbon buckle I was set on using, but then I ran across this LOVE rub-on and ended up going in yet another direction. Funny how things go like that, huh?
Here is where I ended up after all my twists and turns! {I was very much inspired by Amy with my swirls and flowers. I've been swooning over her creations recently!}

You can visit the other "Scripture Chicks" by clicking on their blog links below!
They all should be posted at some point today!
Lori- Make a Difference
Nancy- Paper Smiles
Taylor- Taylored Expressions
Jami- Stamp Happy w/ Sgt Stamper
I hope you'll play along with us with this Divine Design challenge! The rules are simple... use a Bible verse somewhere on your project! You can find the Divine Design Splitcoast thread with all the 4-1-1 here. And when uploading to your Splitcoast gallery, please use Keyword BVC09 so we can find your creations!
And one last thing! If you are playing along and posting on your blog, be sure to grab this awesome button that Jami Bova created for us!

I'd love to see your works of heart, so comment on this post with a link to your blog or gallery!!
Have a Blessed Week!
~Angel

6x6 Page Recipe:
Stamps~ PaperTrey's Boxes, Bags & Tags (for the swirlies above and below the scripture)
Ink~ Palette Black
Paper~ Black, White, The Paper Studio DP
Accessories~ Nestability Circle, CM Circle Cutter,Stravina crystals, Punch Bunch leaf punch, Sizzix Sizzlits Scribbles die, Primas, LOVE rub-on by Creative Imaginations, SU Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, Computer generated font

One for the Weekend!

I did stamp this week! Even though, I've not been a good blogger.
I hope to do more this weekend so I'll have a Divine Design project to show you on Monday!
I worked on today's card off and on for several days. It was just one of "those" cards that never really came together for me. But, it's done now and I better show you something, so here it is!

I embossed this fabulous lighthouse image from ODBD "Keep my Lamp Burning" set onto a Francis Myer paper called "World Map". I added the sentiment to the framed image and embossed it too. (There are 3 scriptures and this fabulous quote that all fit into the scene.) It's layered onto a black cardstock and then the black ribbon is threaded through a button I found in my stash. A little piercing and more layering and this card was called done!
Our daughter is taking her ACTs this morning and then I am not sure what our weekend plans entail. I just know I need to get out of the house. It's supposed to be in the 70s this weekend!!! WOW!
Have a good weekend, dear friends! Thanks for stopping by!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ ODBD Keep my Lamp Burning
Ink~ Versamark
Paper~ Creamy Caramel, Black, Francis Myer and Basic Grey DP
Accessories~ Paper Piercing Tool, Black EP (SU), Button, Ribbon (the opposite side is polkadotted..hahaha) K&Co Black Pearl

Have you heard of Card Positioning Systems?

Each week Card Postioning Systems offers a fabulous sketch for anyone who wants to try it! They also have contests and giveaways and all sorts of fun over there!
This week's sketch was sponsored by a few great sponsors including ODBD!

Check it out!

Here is my sample. I had lots of ideas rolling around for this sketch. One thing I knew I wanted to do was to shrink one of the Celtic crosses from "May God Hold You." It fit perfectly in that medallion. Once again I chose Wild Wasabi for my green and paired it with black. I love the contrast!

Thanks for stopping by!
I'll see you soon!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ ODBD May God Hold You
Ink~ Palette Black and Stazon Black
Paper~ Wild Wasabi, Black, SU Print Pattern Sampler

Accessories~ Paper Piercing tool, Shrink Plastic (SU), Martha's Scalloped Circle Punch, SU Circle punch, Offray Black Ribbon