Quick And EZ Birthday Card

Using the Crazy full-size stamp sets and some simple masking techniques allows for a very quick and easy card.

Ahead of time I have stamped, masked, and die cut card fronts using these Crazy Dogs and cats from Tim Holtz and Stampendous. I color them as I sit nearby while my hubby watches another DIY episode on HGTV. Creating a stash of go to card fronts for an easy card.

The happy is from a MayMayMadeIt Big Time Sayings stamp set. While stamping for a project I go ahead and stamp images or sentiments from the same stamp set using my scraps and then cut them out using my Brother ScanNCut or fussy cutting! I prefer the ScanNCut! I keep these in a small drawer to have on hand. Happy goes on a number of cards so I can stamp birthday or anniversary as needed…

The birthday sentiment is from another MayMayMadeIt stamp set called Brew-Tiful. Be check it out it’s a must have in my opinion.

The stitched dies are from Pink and Main. This is another must have as I can quickly use these to make additional layers for my card fronts using my scraps from other projects. No drawers of unused scraps, when you take a few minutes to use what you have for future craft or card. Craft smart not hard!

This card was put together in under 10 minutes this morning. I added all the layers to a precut and scored A2 card base and stamped the Birthday sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed week!

Donna Lee

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2017 Scrapbook Expo Duluth Georgia Card Swap

Getting a few cards made for this year Scrapbook Expo Card Swap on Saturday here in Duluth Georgia. Be sure to check out my previous two post for additional cards.

I am enjoying this Darcie’s Fairy Tales stamp set. I am keeping the coloring simple and using a simple color pallet. 

 The background is Sizzix Paisley embossing folder. This card swap theme is embossing folders or bling. I plan to add a little bling once I get them all done. 

The heart shape was cut from Stampin Up! Heart dies using my scrapsof gold paper. 

Happy stamping to all!
Donna Lee

Scrapbook Expo 2017 Saturday Card Swap Ideas

Back for another card for the Duluth, Georgia Saturday Scrapbook Expo Card Swap. Keeping it simple and will add some bling later once I have them all done.

This is a Darcie’s Fairy Tales stamp set. The stamped images were fussy cut. Really need that ScanNCut! 

A Sizzx Paisley embossing folder, a label cut form gold scraps, and the perfect sentiment from MayMay Made It Just Wanted You To Know stamp set.

Stamping is much more satisfying using the Misti. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to stamp.

Happy stamping!

Donna Lee

Using PixScan Mat and Jar of Fun Stamp Set

I am so excited to tell you about my first experience using the PixScan mat with my Silhouette Portrait and to show you two cards I was able to quickly make using one of my new favorite stamp sets from MayMay Made It!

First let me tell you that I was seriously considering purchasing the Brother Scan and Cut2 because fussy cutting its just not happening in my craft room anymore. It’s tedious, time consuming, and is not good for those of us who have the annoying arthritis in our hands. As I was weighing the cost and benefits of this new machine, my friend told me that she thought the Silohouette had the scan and cut feature. So I decided I needed to do more research. You Tube was my go to place ot see what people were doing on their Silohouette’s. 

The first resource I found was the awesome video showing the Silhouette PixScan mat and how to use it! So it didn’t take long for me to decide to order the mat from Amazon with free Prime 2 day shipping and try it for myself.

Above you see that I took a white card stock and stamped my images using Momento black ink. I applied the card stock to the PixScan mat and took a picture of it using my iPadAir2. Using the Design Studio software and using Kens video I was able to calibrate my iPadAir2 very quickly and then import this picture into the DS software. Super easy to do! Take the picture from above. Make sure you have good lighting and get the picture of the complete scanpix mat. Avoid shadows and glare. You will get the hang of it!

Once imported into the DS software I used the trace feature to trace my stamped images. So let me point you in the right direction for some good videos about using this feature. Click HERE and then watch the tutorials for some really incredible training and insight. Take some notes and then practice with a stamped image you want to use for your card or scrapbook pages.

My images did not cut perfectly but I was able to use almost all of them.  I used Distress Inks and come Grumbacher watercolor to color my cut images for my cards. 

This stamp set is from MayMayMadeIt.com and it’s called Jar of Fun. As I get more advanced with tracing the stamped images in the Design Studio software I will be able to cut the stamped images even closer. 

I used some scraps of paper from a 6X6 pad to use on a very simple swing fold card using this adorable Jar of Fun stamp set.

The inside is just a plain jar so I have room to write a short notes and a few of the lightening bugs, that can also be used a lady bugs! 

I like the way it turned out and I am so excited to learn more about tracing and getting better at using this awesome tool from Silohoutte! 

I opted to keep this card simple on the front and inside.

I love how both of these cards turned out and how easy it was to get my Silohoutte Portrait to cut my stamped images out for me. 

As always use what you have and make something beautiful, have fun, and share it with someone else! 

Blessings!

Donna Lee

Bible Art Journaling Advent Illustrated 2015 Genesis 1:31

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31

I love that God takes time to look at everything He had made, and saw that it was not just good but very good! We need to make sure that we are following the Lords example and taking time to look at everything He created and even those things we create with the gifts we are given and appreciate how very good they are!

  
As we journey through advent preparing to receive the Word who became flesh and is the light of men, let’s live intentionally to make time to see creation and what our hands, heart, mind, body and spirit creates and see how unique each one is and how wonderful the Creator is who is our author and finisher of our faith.

I used a light coat of !liquitex professional matte medium on this page and dried it using my heat gun, careful to keep the heat gun moving so not to burn the page. 

I started with my tree of life in the center that is a Hero Arts clear stamp. I used gelatos to color my stamp and then lightly sprayed with water and immediately stamped it. I dried it again and then went in with my water color pencils to add more color and details using a paint brush with just a little water to move the color around the stamped image.

My focus scripture is highlighted in pink water color pencil. The rest on my background is gelatos. I highly recommend these! They do not bleed through the pages and nor do my water color pencils. 

Next I used stamped images of these animals that were fussy cut to be used as mask for card making and scrap book pages of an old stamp set called In The Wild from Stampin Up. I used the mask to trace the outline of the image of each animal lightly with my black water color pencil. Once I had them traced I used other water color pencils to add more details and shading and then activated the color using my paint brushes cleaning and drying between each color. 

  
Art journaling is fun! Bible Art journaling takes the Word into a new creative exploration of the scriptures. As I was working on each animal I found myself thinking about what it might have been like for God as he designed the giraffe! That long neck and super tall and lanky legs. I think giraffes are very comical to look at and watch and so I know God has a great sense of humor! God thought of everything we needed and everything that has life needed! He is all in the details. Next time you look at an animal look at the details. Zoom in and allow the Spirit to show you how grand our God is!

I am trying to not over think these journal entries. I am reading the scriptures and letting the Holy Spirit to flow in and out of me in the process and enjoy this time of creating based on Gods word for my life. 

I doubt that I will read these scriptures again and not recall this time of creating this journal entry in my bible. I have a lot of different bibles and I am journaling in a few of them to have enough to pass down to each grand child. The Lord willing, I will have plenty of time to journal in each of their bibles. 

Blessings and His Peace,

Donna Lee

Who Are You In Christ? Art Journal 1:15

I think there are far to many Christians living without knowing who they are in Christ Jesus. Understanding who we are in Christ makes a huge difference in how we view ourselves and others.

To get a proper perspective on who we are in Christ Jesus I believe it’s helpful to clearly understand who we are without Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2 is the best resource for this. It’s not pretty or pleasant to read, study, and ponder, but it will give you a greater perspective of the finished work Jesus accomplished for each of us on the cross.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
The Father has poured out the spiritual blessings of Heaven upon all who have put their trust in Jesus. Every spiritual need has been met, every spiritual blessing has been fulfilled, and every grace given.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption deliverance and salvation through His blood, the (remission) forgiveness of our (offenses shortcomings) and trespasses, in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,

God the Father out of his great love predestined those who would believe to be adopted as his children through faith in his son, Jesus. It’s only through faith in Christ we have a new relationship as the children of God and in that relationship we have a new position. Our relationship gives us right and ownership to the riches of our Heavenly Father. Our position give us privileges related to being part of His family.

Our Heavenly Father did spare Jesus (His only begotten Son) from death through His resurrection. This same power of God is available to us to keep us from suffering the same and all the other situations that Satan tries to defeat our spirit with in this life. Even in death we know that we will be raised with Christ into our eternal home. This is the power Paul wrote about in Romans 8:31-39. If God be for us, who can be against us? Who will bring any (defeating) charge against those whom God has chosen. No one, Christ who died for our sins and is risen from the grave and who sits at the right hand of God The Father intercedes for you and I! Hallelujah (praise The Lord)! Nothing in this world or in the spirit realm can separate us from the love of Christ! We will face trials and suffer troubles in this world because sin is in the world, but we are more than over-comers through Christ. It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to plug into our Savior (our Redeemer and strength) and by His power we will have wisdom, strength, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to overcome all that the ruler (Satan) of this age throws at us.

Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

We all to often allow others in the world to mark us for something. We do it to ourselves as well. Jesus came, died, and rose from the grave so that you and I could live on this earth and in our eternal home Heaven marked solely by Him and for Him. When we surrendered to Him by faith in Jesus as the only begotten son of God we were marked with the seal of God, the Holy Spirit. It’s the only mark we need. In Christ we are set free from others labels that have been put on us.

I Am The Resurrection & The Life – Art Journal 1:14

This Art Journal entry was inspired by Tracy Weinzapel from last weeks Mixed Media Monday webcast. You can watch a replay of the video and join the fun this coming Monday!

Journal Notes:
God may be leading us into a different life by closing a door or ending a relationship. It may seem like the end of your world, but it’s not. John 10:10 tells us the thief (devil) comes in order to steal, kill and destroy life. Jesus comes that we who believe may have and enjoy life and do so in abundance (blessings).

As Christians we are a new creation in Christ. Matthew 9:16-17 talks about new wine skins and the old wine skins. New wine skin ~ a new life/creation in Christ. The old wine skin is the former self. We need to learn to view ourselves the way that God does.

Life is precious. Do not waste your time dwelling on the past hurt, regret, and failures. Jesus said ‘ I remember your sins no more’. If He who bore the price for your sin doesn’t remember them why are you or anyone’s else dwelling there? If others can’t move forward with you, you do not need them in your life.

A new life means a fresh start and new attitude. If anyone or any church is dragging up the past you need to run from them and find a body of Christ who believes and practices the Word of God. Know who God is and who you are In Christ Jesus. When Satan or anyone else throws something in your face about the former you, tell them whose you are and who you are In Christ. God is not going to give up on you.

Emotions and some memories can bring up old feelings of hurt, sorrow, and anger. Know that just because you feel a certain way, you do not have to give into the emotions and mind set. We have to be determined to run and finish the race before us IN Christ!

Adopt the attitude that something good is going to happen to you each day. This is the day The Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it. Say it out loud, write on your mirrors, put on a post it note in your car. Sing to The Lord a new song. Say Jesus over and over. Tell him what you are thankful for. Remember His blessings in your past! This is what it means to encourage yourself in The Lord. Do it daily!

John 11:40-44 take off the grave clothes (your old self and ways). You are a new creation In Christ. Cloak yourself in His Word. Get to know Him and allow the Word to transform and renew your mind. Ask Jesus to help you in this journey of studying the Word.

Isaiah 43:18-19 … Do not remember the former things of old…behold I am doing a new thing! Think on what Jesus has done and is doing in your new life. Get a picture of it and dwell on Him and the new life you have. Can you see it through faith? Will give heed to Him? Remember God is not dependent on your circumstances or your past. He is doing a new thing in you!

I am who God says I am. I will rejoice and be glad in knowing who I am in Christ Jesus. Whatever our short comings are, God can help us overcome them as we trust in Him. Make room for Jesus in your life and take steps of faith. Refuse to give up on yourself. God has great plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11.

Remember Zacchaeus? He was so short he could not see Jesus due to the crowd. He did not let that circumstance stand between him and Jesus. He became a tree climber and Jesus recognized his determination and invited himself to his house!

Craft Notes: Mixed Media paper, acrylic paint, gesso, heavy weight watercolor paper, stencils, Scrapbook paper, alphabet stsmps, Stazon ink, bling, charcoal pencil, permanent marker, Pitt pen, glitter pen,

This was so fast and a lot of fun to create! The longest part was my title and lining up the stamps. To save time I think I should create my title on the computer, print it out, and apply with a gel medium. Thanks Tracy for the inspiration!

Blessings!
Donna Lee