Saturday, February 28, 2009

Need Some Spring?


Well I don't know about you, but I could use some Spring Inspiration here in Wisconsin, especially after a major blizzard on Thursday, and now back to freezing cold temperatures yesterday and today. Ugh! This has been one of the longest, and COLDEST winters I can remember. Its really hard to believe the global warming warnings when you experience a winter like this!
So in honor of Spring-time thoughts, I will be posting a Spring-themed card today. My card was made for three different challenges. I used the SC215 Sketch Challenge and the CC205 Color Challenge from Splitcoaststampers. The Spring theme is for the Crafty Secrets Challenge on Paper Craft Planet: we were to make a Spring Card using our Crafty Secrets Stamps.
The image is from Crafty Secrets 'Bird Notes'. It was colored using prisma colored pencils and gamosol. I sponged the edges with 'Pretty in Pink' ink. The sentiment is from Kolette Hall. Card stock colors are White, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, and Kiwi Kiss. I mounted both the main image panel and the Kiwi Kiss panel up on dimensionals. The white panel was embossed with the 'Swiss Dots' Embossing Folder from Cuttlebug. The Kiwi Kiss panel was also embossed with a Cuttlebug Folder. Ribbon was added for embellishment.
I hope your warmer than I am wherever you are. As usual, my hands are cold and numb as I type this because my office is the coldest room in the house. I've begged my husband for a small space heater, but he's afraid I'll leave it on after I leave the room, so he won't let me get one. I have no idea why he thinks I'd be that irresponsible to do that, cause thats just not something I'd ever do. I think he just doesn't want pay for it and is creating that excuse! LOL! Amy

Friday, February 27, 2009

Same Sketch, Same Paper, Two Different Cards

Well did anyone else in the upper mid west get hit by the big blizzard yesterday? It was predicted that we would get 6 to 10 inches of snow, but it moved through the area SO FAST, I don't think we got much at all. But when it did arrive, it was NASTY. It was the first time in my life I heard it thunder in the middle of winter during a snowstorm. And it became so dark outside, it seemed like it was evening. Visibility was almost non-existent. I looked out the windows of my house and all I could see was a swirl of white. It was amazing. Thank goodness I did not have to drive 45 minutes to work in the midst of it like I originally planned.The store I work for closed the store for the night, but they were kind enough to let me come in tonight to make up for my lost hours. Now its bitter cold again, and my husband forgot to check the propane tank and its down to 0 degrees. So, we have no heat other than our wood stove. And because our water is also heated with propane, guess what? No hot water either! UGH! Hopefully the propane truck will arrive nice and early this morning!

Well enough bad winter weather talk, lets think of 'Spring' shall we? For today's post I made two cards using paper from the same Basic Grey Paper Pad and also I used the same sketch from Paper Craft Planet.

My first card is an Easter Card: Yeah! Spring! The image is by Great Impressions and is colored with Copic Markers. I used Spellbinder's Nestabilities to make the scalloped square and regular square panel. Ribbon and brads were added for embellishment. The sentiment is unknown only because I can't read the writing on the wood block of the stamp! LOL!

My second card is an Anniversary Card and it was Inspired by a Birdie Coffee Mug I saw on a Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge Thread. Sorry I don't have a picture of the mug, but the challenge is already several weeks ago. I'm still playing catch-up on all the challenges I missed because I was working so much! LOL! Anyway, the image for this card is from MFT 'Hearts Galore' and the sentiment is from Inkadinkado 'Weddings/Anniversaries'. Ribbon and dew drops were added for embellishment.

Well I hope your having more spring-like weather than I am! Have a great day! Amy

Thursday, February 26, 2009

February 'Sheetload of Cards' Sketch


I made this card using the February sketch from 'Sheetload of Cards'. You can read the post below to learn a little more about 'Sheetload of Cards' and what they are all about.
Easter is just a few weeks away, and I will need to make lots and lots of Easter cards and projects to sell at my Local Consignment Store, so you will be seeing lots of Easter posts in the weeks to come.
The image is 'A Good Egg' from Stampin Up! I just love this little guy! Isn't he the cutest? The cardstock colors are white, Sage Shadow, Regal Rose,Close to Cocoa, and Almost Amethyst, also by Stampin Up!. I used the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder 'Swiss Dots' on the Sage Shadow panel. The sentiment was stamped in Close to Cocoa ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder to make it stand out more. The Designer Paper is Basic Grey. The image is colored with Copic Markers. Ribbon and Brads were added for embellishment.
Have a great day. Amy

Shout Out to Sheetload!

If you've never visited 'Sheetload of Cards' before, now is the time to do so. Every month they give you a sketch and all the supplies and sizes you need to create a 'Sheetload of Cards'! If you don't want a whole bunch of cards, you can also make just one card. They also include beautiful card examples made by other artists for inspiration. And the best part is: its all FREE! Check it out here: http://sheetload.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-2009-issue-sponsored-by-unity.html

Monday, February 23, 2009

His Holy Name Challenge #3 and Scripture Challenge Words #5 and #6

Well did everyone enjoy the Oscars Sunday Night? I told my husband, it was the best Academy Awards Show I've seen in twenty years! I thought Hugh Jackman did a fabulous job hosting the show, and was probably the best host I've ever seen on the Oscars. I loved all the dance and musical numbers they added, and how previous Oscar winners gave little 'pep talks' to the Oscar Nominees. It was so touching. I also really liked the video they showed about all the action movies before the technical awards were announced. Well, enough Oscar talk, onto my cards/page for today!

I've been so busy with work that I'm more than two weeks behind Patter Cross's Challenges on 'Triple the Scraps', but I'm trying to play 'catch-up'. So today's post is actually for Patter's February 1st challenge.


My first card is based on the Challenge Word 'Peace'. I chose the scripture 'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.' Isaish 26:3. Since I always found so much peace when looking at a vast body of water (Lake Michigan...which really does look exactly like an ocean!) I chose a seaside image from the retired Stampin Up! set 'Seaside Sketches'. I colored it with Prismacolored Pencils and Gamosol. The sketch and colors are from Splitcoaststampers Color Challenges. The card stock colors
are white, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point and Garden Green. The sentiment is computer generated. I mounted the main image up on dimensionals. Ribbon and a brad were added for embellishment.



My second card is based on the Challenge Word 'Change'. I chose the verse from Hosea 11:8 'My heart is changed within me, all my compassion is aroused'. I used butterflies as my focal point because I believe its a symbolic image of change since they morph from caterpillars. The sketch is the same one as the first one (SC213 from Splitcoaststampers), but the colors are from the SCS Color Challenge CC206: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, and More Mustard. I used a Cuttlebug Die 'Spring' to cut the butterflies. I printed the sentiment using my computer, then stamped grass over it with the "Inspired by Nature" from Stampin Up!. A prima and brad was added for embellishment.

My final project is a 6 x 6 scrapbook page. The Challenge Word was 'Protector'. I picked the Bible Verse from Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance' because its one of my favorite verses. I love the thought that we can 'hide with God' and feel protected by him when were feeling scared and insecure. To illustrate my feelings of God's protectiveness over my life, I used an image of a watchful Eagle on my page. Believe it or not there are A LOT OF eagles where I live. Not a day goes by when I don't see at least one. They are as common around here as Robins. I always chuckle when someone comes and visits me and they go BALLISTIC when they see an Eagle for the first time. I don't know what it is about Eagles, maybe its because they were once almost extinct, or maybe its because they are a patriotic symbol, but you are ALWAYS inspired every time you see one, even if you see them everyday like I do. Anyway, when creating this page, I thought of the habit of Eagles and how they perch in the branches of the highest trees and 'watch' whats going on below them, and I thought 'That's what God does for His children. He is always watching out for us, ready to protect us from trouble or help us through our troubles to deliverance'.

To make the page, I first printed out the sentiment using my computer on a piece of Kraft Card Stock. Looking back, I wish I would have printed the sentiment a little higher, more centered and closer to the branch, but due to time constraints, I really can't re-do the page, I'm already too far behind schedule! LOL! I sponged some blue ink to look like the sky. The pine trees are from the retired Stampin Up! set 'Decorative Pines'. The eagle is from the retired Stampin Up! set 'Wildlife Reserve'. I hand drew the tree branch and colored it with Copics.

Have a wonderful day! Amy






Sunday, February 22, 2009

Featured Stamper Snowman


The Featured Stamper this week on Splitcoaststampers (SCS) is Sgtstamper. She did a fabulous Valentine Card using the image of a snowman which you can see here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1217591?cat=500+ppuser=166165. Well I didn't need a Valentine Card, but I do have to make Five Christmas Cards a month for a Christmas Card Challenge on SCS, so I decided to make my card a Christmas Card. The Christmas Card Challenge on SCS is great because it forces me to do a few cards a month so I will be all set for Christmas, rather than waiting to the last minute to make my cards and getting all stressed out.
The rules of the Featured Stamper Challenge is to change two things about the original card. I changed the stamp set, the paper, and eliminated the bling on the snowman because I didn't think it matched the paper or colors of my card.
The image and sentiment are retired Stampin Up! 'Frosty' and 'Holiday Woodcuts'. The designer paper is retired Stampin Up! 'Holiday Treasures'. I also used white and Old Olive card stock. I used Nestabilities to cut out the squares, and I mounted up the snowman and sentiment on dimensionals. Ribbon was added for embellishment.
Have a great day! Enjoy the Oscars tonight! I hope I can get up for work tomorrow after staying up so late to watch the Academy Awards! Amy

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Inspired Butterfly

One of the Inspiration Pieces in today's Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers was this Butterfly Pillow. Well, I LOVE Butterflies, so I decided to use this piece as the Inspiration for my card.

To make the card, I took a piece of Tempting Turquoise Card Stock and ran it through my Cuttlebug using an Embossing Folder. I highlighted the raised areas with a dark blue chalk. I stamped the sentiment from Kollete Hall with Brillant Blue Ink. The main image is from Inkadinkado and is cut out and covered with black, pink, and blue glitter. Only the body of the butterfly is glued to the card stock. Crystal brads and ribbon were added for an embellishment. I will give this card as a RAK to some one's mother on Splitcoaststampers. Her mom is turning 80 years old, and she is hoping to receive 80 birthday cards in honor of this wonderful milestone.

Have a wonderful day! Amy



Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Floral Wedding Anniversary


I made this card for today's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The inside says 'Happy Anniversary' and its for a older couple at my church who will be celebrating their anniversary next week.
With the exception of the white card stock, all the papers are from Basic Grey. The main image is retired Stampin Up! 'Abundant Joy'. I mounted the main image panel up on dimensionals and colored it with copic markers. The ribbon is from Walmart.
We got some fresh snow here in Wisconsin today. Its made everything look so pretty again. And for those of you waiting for pictures of the Valentine Banquet that I decorated for, sorry, but I forgot to take pictures, AGAIN! UGH! I worked during the day, so I arrived at the Banquet about 15 minutes late. Everyone had already started eating, so of course I couldn't pull out my camera and start snapping pictures of the decorations. So I apologize if you were waiting to see how I decorated the church. Because of a limited budget, I wasn't able to do much, but we were proud of ourselves at how creative we were. We wrapped the silverware in white napkins, 'stole' some red construction paper from the church's nursery and cut it up into strips. We then taped the 'paper ring' around the napkin/silverware and then attached a Cuttlebug heart over that. For the table, we had floating heart candles, heart confetti, heart doilies, and red tulle party favors wrapped in white ribbon and filled with heart candies. I kept all the colors red, white, and pink. The entrance table had a big bouquet of red and white artificial tulips we found in a storage closet. I had a string of paper glittery hearts for the front of the table, then on the table itself was a red glittery sign that said 'Happy Valentines Day'. I also added boxes and boxes of heart shaped chocolates and two large red ribbon bows. Finally, I decorated the entrance to the church by draping white tulle up, across and down the doorway. I then added more heart garland, four bouquets of roses, a giant red glittery heart in the middle and two smaller red hearts on the sides. I promise, next time I decorate for an event, I won't forget to take pictures. But for now, you'll just have to use your imaginations! LOL! Anyway, it was a wonderful evening. I couldn't believe all the work the woman who put the whole thing together did. The food was wonderful. We had children/teens in the church serve us, and they were dressed up so nicely and did such a good job. Then we watched the movie 'Fireproof' and played some 'love' games afterwards. It was so much fun.
Have a wonderful day! Amy

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice?


I know I don't have a lot to complain about in comparison with what most people in the world have to go through everyday, and of course I'm thankful for all of the blessings in my life, but the Johnson family has sure going through a lot when it comes to relationship issues lately. It has made me want to climb into a deep hole and never see another living soul other than my family for as long as I live. LOL! I titled this card 'Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice?' because even though girls can be so sweet, they can also be soooo mean. My dear son is hurting right now because his very first girlfriend broke up with him....right after he spent a lot of money on her taking her to the dance and bought her a Valentine's gift. I had the feeling she was just using him so she had a date to the dance, and unfortunately my suspicions were right. I also think she broke up with him because he was recently publicly humiliated at a school event, and you know how kids are today, instead of supporting their friends, they abandon them so they don't look 'uncool' too. Then in addition to all of that, I've had some problems with the people who run the local consignment shop in town that I sell my products too and also with a Stampin Up! customer who apparently thought she could order product from me, keep it for 3 months, then try to return it to me without paying for it. I suppose that one is my fault for actually 'trusting someone's word' when they said they 'would pay me later'. LESSON LEARNED on that one.....always get the money FIRST before you give them the product. My Dear Husband warned me NOT to trust her and give her the product, but my naive self actually thought 'No, she'd never do that.' So, I'm not very happy with people right now. To make it worse, there's even more 'people' issues, but I don't want to bore you with all with the details, I just needed to 'vent' a little. I don't know why, but my whole life I have always struggled with being 'misunderstood and misjudged' by other people. I feel like I've done nothing in my life but be kind and giving of myself and talents, and yet people always seem to misinterpret my actions. Maybe its not me, and its just the nature of sin within all people. We are all so quick to judge and to interpret situations based on how 'we feel' or 'what we think' and were often so far from the truth its ridiculous. Its times like these when I'm just so thankful to God, because I know He knows MY heart and He knows the truth, no matter what others might think. I'm sorry if this is so vague, but I can't possibly post all the details of the past week's events or this post would be several pages long. LOL! But I'm sure many of you probably know what I'm talking about and maybe by sharing my pain and frustration in this area, I've helped some of you feel better if you were ever 'misjudged or misinterpreted' by someone else too! Now, On to My Card!
I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The Featured Stamper this week is juliemlacey and her original card can be seen here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1175180 I changed very little from the original card. They almost look identical! However, the rule of the challenge is to change two things: I changed the paper and I eliminated some of the layers. I can't possibly afford to put as many layers of card stock on one card as Julie did! Not to mention the cost of postage! LOL! The image is retired Stampin Up! 'From the Heart'. The papers are from Basic Grey.
I hope you all have a better 'People Week' than I have. And if your a believer, say a prayer for my son and I, we could use a little uplifting and encouraging thoughts right now.
Have a great day! Amy

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Three Different Cards: One Sketch!


I made three different cards using the same sketch (SC214 Splitcoaststampers) and three different Color Challenges. The first card uses the colors from a Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green, Pink Passion, and Lovely Lilac. The image is from Inkadinkado 'Weddings'. I put pink glitter on the heart and used a Cuttlebug and Scor-Pal on the white background.



The second card uses an image from Penny Black's 'Critter Party' Stamp Set. The sentiment is a $1.00 stamp from Michaels. The colors are from a Paper Craft Planet Color Challenge: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, and white.

The third card uses another image from the same Penny Black Stamp Set. The colors are also from a Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge: Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, and Old Olive.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my three cards/same sketch post. Its always fun and interesting to see the many different styles of cards people create using the same sketch. Have a great day! Amy

Friday, February 13, 2009

I Made a Card! I Made a Card! I Made a Card!


I've had such a busy week and weekend, I wasn't able to do anything creative all week, but I had a few hours yesterday afternoon, so I was able to complete at least one card, and I got started on a couple more. I use to make a minimum of one card a day, so to only make one card in a week is pretty sad for me. Needless to say, I've fallen very far behind on my cards now and have missed a few events. And I can't even catch-up this weekend because I am working on Saturday and will be at our church Valentine Banquet on Saturday night. I was just at the church decorating for it and would you believe I remembered to take my camera, BUT I FORGOT TO TAKE THE PICTURES! I tell you, its been quite the past few weeks. For twenty years I've been a homemaker and I just started my first part-time job OUTSIDE the home, but its really taking some adjustment not just for me, but the whole family. So far, I've left the house and drove 40 miles only to forget my son's music and had to turn around and drive 40 miles back to get it. Then I locked myself out of the house and had to drive another 40 miles out of my way to my husband's office to pick up his set of keys. And now, I forgot to take pictures of my Valentine Decorations at church. Hopefully, tomorrow I WON'T forget to take pictures, because the decorations really turned out cute considering our limited budget. However, I will be going there directly from work, so I'm sure everyone will be there before me, and all the decorations will be messed with and I won't get a decent picture anyway. Oh well, such is life.
Now, on to my card. I made this card for the pre-teen daughter of a good friend of mine. The card stock colors are white and Close to Cocoa. The designer paper is Basic Grey. The image is retired Stampin Up! "Totally Cool". I colored the image with Copic Markers and popped up the purse and present on dimensionals. Glitter was added to her earrings and flowers on the shopping bag. A prima flower, clip and ribbon were added for embellishment.
Have a Wonderfully Romantic Valentines Day! Amy

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Recital Promotional Picture

Well its been over a week since I've posted last and even though I don't have a card, scrap book page, or a piece of altered art to show you, I thought I'd better post SOMETHING! And since my blog is about 'Creating Beauty in My Life' and deals with other creative interests of mine other than paper crafts, I thought I'd post a promotional picture I took of my beautiful daughter and her lovely friend for their Junior Voice Recital. My daughter Ashley is a Voice Performance Major, she is the girl on the left. Isn't she beautiful? And the best part is, she is even more beautiful on the inside. And then to top that off, when she opens her mouth and begins to sing, she sounds like an angel! I am very blessed to call myself her mother.

The very first picture is their Recital Promotional Picture. This picture was made into an 11 x 13 poster and hung around campus to promote their recital. Their names were written across the top and the details of the event were on the right side. It was a bitter cold day we took this picture, I was amazed at how well it turned out since we had to take them so fast so we could hurry back inside and out of the cold. I keep telling everyone, it didn't turn out so well because of my talent, I just have a very expensive good camera that does all the work for me! LOL!


The second picture shows Ashley after the recital dressed in the gown she wore that evening. I told Ashley she sparkled like 'Tinkerbell' when she performed because her dress was covered with so many sequins and really sparkled every time she moved. The recital went very well and both girls sang beautifully.

Well that's all for today. Hopefully this afternoon I'll be able to create 'something new' to post for tomorrow. I've been so busy with my new job all week, and then I was gone all weekend at my daughter's recital that I haven't had time to create. Tomorrow I don't have to work, but then I will be at my church half the day decorating it for a Valentine's Banquet. Maybe I'll just have to take my camera and take pictures of that to post for you all! Its creative isn't it? LOL!

Hopefully I'll 'see' you tomorrow. Amy

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Inside Out


This week's featured stamper on Splitcoaststampers is BevR. After looking through her beautiful gallery, I actually ended up picking the layout of the 'INSIDE' of one of her cards and using it for the "OUTSIDE" of my card. I just loved the colors and the clean, simple look. You can see BevR's original 'Inside of her card' here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1203771?cat=500+ppuser=64518
To make my card I used the card stock colors 'Tangerine Tango', 'Kiwi Kiss', and 'White'. I stamped the Kiwi Kiss panel with the retired Stampin Up! set 'Background Basics'. The image is also retired Stampin Up! and is called 'Birthday Bunnies'. I colored the image with Copic Markers. The colored panels were punched with the Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch. Sentiment is a $1.00 stamp from Michaels. The tag was made with a tag punch. I added an eyelet and some fiber for embellishment.
Have a great day! Amy

Sunday, February 1, 2009

His Holy Name Challenge #2 and Scripture Challenge Words #3 and #4

Last week's Challenge Word on Patter Cross' Blog 'Triple the Scraps' 'His Holy Name Challenge' was 'Sovereign'. We were to make a 6 x 6 scrapbook page based on this word. First I picked the scripture 'How Great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you and there is no God but you.' 2 Samuel 7:22. Then I tried to think about an image that would illustrate what the word 'Sovereign' meant to me. Since Sovereign means that God is in total control and the only one with all the answers, I thought I would use an owl image...since owls are often thought of as wise. The image is from Inkadinkado. The paper is from Basic Grey. The verse is computer generated. The leaves are a Cuttlebug die sponged with chalk. The flowers are from the Martha Stewart Wedding Collection. I colored them with Copic Markers and added an adhesive crystal in the center. They are attached to a piece of Naturals Ivory paper that is also sponged with chalk.
Week's #3 and #4 Scripture Challenge Words were 'Beauty' and 'Wait'. Well, beauty was easy for me, nothing is more beautiful than a perfect rose! I used an image from the retired Stampin Up! set 'Abundant Joy' and colored it with Copic Markers. The scripture verse is computer generated and reads 'Perfect in beauty, God shines forth.' Psalm 50:2. Card stock colors are Pretty in Pink, white, and black. The designer paper is from DCWV. Adhesive crystals, ribbon, and Hodgepodge Hardware from Stampin Up! were added for embellishment.



My last card uses both the sketch and color challenge from Paper Craft Planet. This card was made using the challenge word 'Wait'. I picked the bible verse 'Wait for the Lord: Be strong and take heart and Wait for the Lord". The word 'Heart' really stuck out to me as I read this scripture. It is hard in life to 'Wait on the Lord' and we do need to 'take heart' or we'll never be able to do it. I used a heart as the focal point for this card to emphasize how we need to 'take heart' as we wait on the Lord.
To make the card, I used a stencil to hand cut the heart, then I embossed it with the 'Swiss Dots' Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. The Kiwi Kiss panel was cut using the Stampin Up! Scallop Border Punch.