Jake's Birthday

This week my oldest son turns 23. Hopefully he'll get his birthday card in time so I won't be in the dog house. Cuz when Mom makes cards and forgets to make her kids' birthday cards, it ain't funny!
Anybody else?

I like how this card looks in real life. I was disappointed at how the backgrounder faded away though. I have found that to be an issue with Versamark ink. And so I normally only use the Versamark for embossing. I guess I needed to relearn that lesson.
The red card and the strip through the center are both from the same 12x12 sheet of Black Magic Core'dinations cardstock. Each 12x12 sheet of black in this collection has a color core and backside. I've used the colored side of the cardstock for the main card so my inside is black.Once again the design was simple as that is what my schedule is allowing. But, I think the grunge look will be a winner.
Have a great week, dear friends!
~Angel

Card Recipe~
Stamps: Cheery Chat, CHF Diamond Plate backgrounder (hard to see)
Paper: Black Magic Core'dinations CS, White, Cosmo Cricket DP
Ink: Palette Black, versamark
Accessories: Labels One Nesties, Sandpaper, Corner Rounder, Washers, mini Brads, 1/2" circle punch, pop dots

Go Grads!

I know a LOT of graduates this year. Along with my own 2 college grads and 1 high school graduate, I needed 3 other cards to send. And since my schedule hasn't allowed me a lot of stamping time, I needed them to be on the simple side. So I came up with this easy money holder. I started with 9x12 piece of cardstock and just scored it at 3" intervals. Then I cut the last panel at a diagonal and folded it inward. (I didn't find it necessary to glue this panel down.) I sent the cards in the mail and so I actually mailed a check which fit perfectly. I personalized them by using each graduate's school colors for the embossed layer. I hope they enjoy them!I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. My plans? I am preparing to whip my stamp room into shape while hubby watches the race!
I do want to say a special thank you to all of our veterans, military members and families and especially to those who gave all. Thank you.
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Finished Size- 3x6
Stamps~ Tassel Time, Great Greetings, Bold Greetings
Paper~ Basic Black, SU White, Vintage Core'dinations CS, More Mustard, scrap DP
Ink~ Palette Black Noir, Glorious Green, More Mustard, Summer Sun
Accessories~ Traffic Jam and Argyle CB folders, Nestabilities Petite Scalloped Circle, Circle Punch and grad cap Paper Shaper punch

Oh, Butterfly....

I needed a few Thank You cards to send. I wasn't feeling too creative, so I went looking for ideas. One of my favorite places for inspiration is Sharon Johnson's blog- No Time to Stamp.
I CASEd this card and layout from Sharon and ended up with this butterfly card. It was a great way to showcase some beautiful May Arts ribbon that I recently purchased and split with a friend. I can't wait to see what she makes with it!
I LOVE butterflies. Oh, you already knew that. It's hard for me to NOT buy a stamp set that has a beautiful butterfly in it. And I love the diecuts too! This butterfly is diecut from the Core'dinations Whitewash collection which has a color core. When I sanded it just a bit the color came through. It almost looks as if I have sponged on the color, but I didn't.
Hope you're having a fabulous week!
See you soon!
~Angel

Card Recipe~
Stamps: Simple Friendship, Thanks (SU)
Paper: Pink Pirouette, OLD Swirls Vellum (SU), White, Choc Chip, Core'dinations White Wash collection
Ink: Choc Chip

Accessories: Butterflies 2 (Spellbinder die), The Paper Studio Pearls & pearl brad, Oval Punch, May Arts ribbon

Blessed is the Nation...

Had some time today to make a few cards. I'll show you one today...
For this one I used ODBD's "God Bless America" again. It'll be in my collection for many, many years! I didn't use the image, but rather stamped and embossed one of the scriptures from the set. It all flew together.What do you think of the "ribbon"?
I bought 1/4 of a yard of this gingham fabric a long time ago to use with some Christmas cards when I couldn't find exactly the ribbon I was looking for. I've used it several times since by just tearing it into strips.
So, next time you're looking for a particular ribbon, check out the fabrics! Especially those ginghams!
Have a fabulous day!
I'll see you tomorrow!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ God Bless America (ODBD)
Paper~ Night of Navy, Vanilla, Core'dinations Vintage Collection (red), The Paper Studio DP
Ink~ Warm Red ColorBox Chalk ink
Accessories~ Clear Embossing Powder, Houndstooth CB folder, Small handheld star punch, EK Success Dotted Wave edger punch, 3/4" circle punch, sandpaper

USA

I'm back!
I had a really good trip to Kansas. The weather was good and the hospitality was even better. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends there.
It's taken me a while to get back to the normal routine of my days. One of the reasons is I started reading the "Twilight" book series. I'm one of those readers that can hardly put a book down until I'm finished. And so I am on the 4th book and hope to finish it today!
But first things first. I cleaned up my stamp room and tried to stamp. I've got new paper and new rubber and fun stuff to play with too!Just to try and get back into the routine though, I started with my patriotic stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs.

This fun card combines both In God We Trust and God Bless America. The red and yellow cardstock I used is a recent discovery. It's called Core'dinations and is a color cored textured cardstock. It's TOO cool.
Thanks for stopping by today!
I've missed you!
~Angel

Recipe:
Stamps~ In God We Trust, God Bless America (ODBD)
Ink~ Palette Black, to watercolor-Real Red, Night of Navy, Summer Sun, More Mustard
Paper~ PaperTrey White, Night of Navy, SU Watercolor paper, Core'dinations Vintage and Roy G Biv collections
Accessories~ Divine Swirls CB Folder, blender pen, SU star eyelets, SU square and scalloped square punches, Star punches, Dimensionals

A Graduation Ensemble!

The Splitcoast Product Focus forum is new today with the latest reviews. This time the team gave their summaries on The Stamp-It Kit!
I took the opportunity to make a stamp of a knight image from clip-art! The knight is my daughter's school mascot and my mind is reeling with more items I can make with my stamp. I only hope I'll have time to make them all!
I did get a good start with a nugget box for Katie to give to her graduating friends!

Some thank you cards for her to send to show her appreciation to friends and family. (See the actual stamp?)And some cupcake picks for the graduation party! (Thanks, Lori!)

Due to time constraints my projects were all fairly simple, but I am really happy with the knight stamp and I'll be using it for more than just graduation. The knight was also the mascot for my husband's squadron at our previous base. So, I can see some scrapbook pages with this image as well!
I'll be back later with the recipes!
I'm due home today!
~Angel

May 09 ~ Divine Design

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
~Romans 8:28
Today is a wonderful day! My son and his wife will graduate from Bible College today. God is good and I can certainly look back over the last 24 years of my son Jake's life and see how this verse is so perfect and so true.
This amazing scripture was chosen by my friend Amy for the special Our Daily Bread Designs anniversary sets. You can bet that several of those verses will be making their way into my Divine Design book of scriptures!
If you are a Christian, this verse is full of promise and encouragement. You can know that God will work it out- taking both the good and the bad in your life and making them something wonderful. He can take every situation and turn it into one that works for our good and for His glory.
{Oh, I hope you know Him! He's amazing!}
Before I left for Kansas, I made this 6x6 page for my Divine Design scripture book. It came together quite easily. But, I apologize for no recipe as I don't have all of the details with me.
Would you like to join us for Divine Design? You're more than welcome.
All you need to do is choose a scripture that has touched you personally or a passage you have determined to commit to memory and make a project with it. Remember, if you post on Splitcoast, use the keyword BVC09 so we can find your project and comment! If you have a blog and want to spread the word about Divine Design, remember you can also add the Divine Design button to your sidebar!
My friends Lori, Taylor, Nancy and Jami will also have some wonderful projects to show you today, I am sure! Just click on the links and go see!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a Wonderful and Amazing weekend!
~Angel

Freedom

I love my country! As a military wife I am extremely proud of the men and women who protect my freedom! One in particular, of course! And I am missing him right now!
I love the new patriotic sets from Our Daily Bread Designs. The flag from this "God Bless America" set covers practically an entire card front. Some of the DT girls have die cut ovals from the image. I love that effect! For this card, I've colored the flag in the background but adhered a layer of vellum over the top with my quote embossed on top. And I was so excited to be able to use this Karen Foster metal charm I found at Archiver's last month. It was the perfect embellishment.
I should be in Kansas if this posts at the right time!
I'll be back next Wednesday! But, you'll see my Divine Design post on Saturday!
Blessings~
Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps- God Bless America (ODBD)
Ink- Palette Black, Petal Point Chalk ink, flag is watercolored with Real Red, Night of Navy

Paper- SU Watercolor paper, vellum, Real Red, Night of Navy
Accessories- Karen Foster metal tag, blender pen, Clear EP, handheld star punch

I Pledge Allegiance

It's Monday! And that means I am most likely on the road as you read this post. Oh, the marvels of technology! I'll be taking today and tomorrow driving to Kansas. My son and his wife will graduate from COLLEGE this week and I wouldn't miss it for the world! These kids have worked so hard and what an awesome accomplishment!!
Before I left I did a run of stamping so I could have something to post for you. Oh yeah and of course I had to play with my new stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs. These patriotic sets are just in time for Memorial Day and the 4th of July!
Here is an easy one for you.

This one features the new single stamp "Pledge of Allegiance". I wish you could see the ivory colored stars. They have Crackle Accents on them and they crackled so cool!
I hope to be able to post a couple more times this week in between visiting friends and family.
See you soon!!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ Pledge of Allegiance (ODBD) Plaid Background (SU Retired)
Ink~ Night of Navy
Paper~ Kraft, Naturals Ivory, Real red, Night of Navy
Accessories~ Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Crackle Accents, May Arts ribbon, star handheld punch, distresser, small star punch

An ODBD Sketch

The Our Daily Bread Designs design team is at it again! We've got a sketch for you to try. You're going to love it too! It's a fabulous "can't go wrong" sketch! The DT members were also been challenged to use a particular product from the ODBD store. (And if you haven't seen all the fabulous goods Kelley is now carrying, you've got to get over there and take a look!) I was tasked to showcase the fabulous SEI Jolie Chocolat designer paper pad along with one of the great new May stamp sets. As you know, the new sets are all patriotic (AND I LOVE THEM!) so my first thought was "I can't use these papers." But, my dear hubby flipped through the book and said "Sure you can." The result? I think it turned out okay!
Sorry for the bit of glare in the pic, but I wanted you to see the wonderful foil highlights in this DP! It's very COOL!
I used the new ODBD set- "In God We Trust". This eagle is fabulous and I LOVE the size of it!
Be checking out the ODBD DT girls' blogs this week and next to see their take on this sketch. And YOU are welcome to join us and make a card using the sketch. If you do upload to SCS, use the keyword ODBDSC03. All of the details will also be available at the ODBD blog tomorrow!
I leave for Kansas on Monday! But, I'm busy working on some more things to show you while I am gone. You won't even miss me!
Have a blessed Friday!
~Angel

Card Recipe:
Stamps~ In God We Trust (ODBD)
Ink~ Versamark, Choc Chip
Paper~ Choc Chip, SU Brushed Silver, SEI Jolie Chocolat DP
Accessories~ large & small Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Textile texture folder, Hero Arts gem, SU brown ruffled ribbon, Silver EP, Star brad (Paper Studio)