Friday, July 31, 2015

It's a Bird Thing - You Probably Understand

This week is all about the animals.  Is a bird an animal?  I think it is.  Especially when it is this cute!

Sherry made this card using a stamp from Whipper Snapper Designs.  Check it out.

I would love to get this card if I were feeling under the weather.  Wouldn't you?

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more animal antics.

Have a great day and be inspired

April

Romans 1:17  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  "The righteous will live by faith."

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Fun with Flip It and Animals

This week's blog theme is Animals.  Dee has pulled together a beautiful card using a Flip It die and her new fuse tool along with some fun AI stamps.

Check it out:

"you're purrfect"

card recipe: card made with Sizzix Circle Flip-its #2 by Stephanie Barnard. Cardstock is a 6x6 pad from Simple Stories. We R memory Keepers Fuse tool used for the shaker and sequin from stash. The Sentiment, kitty and puppy are from Art Impressions mini Front and Backs (they are so stinkin cute). Copics were used to color animals.

Inside card:
Inside shows the "Backside" of the animals....so cute. A white circle on back card will be added for message.

How adorable!  Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more animal fun.

If you're local to the Louisville KY area - check out the grand re-opening at Craft Inn.  I will be demonstrating how to use Zig Clean Brush Markers.  And Diane has all kinds of new crafty stuff from CHA!  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

 Psalm 139:23 - 24  Search me, God and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

WOYWW 320 - Who Let the Dogs Out?

It's Wednesday and that means it's time to take a picture of my desk and post it on Julia's site.  But even more fun is going around to work desks around the world and see what everyone is working on.  It's all about being nosey!

So here is my desk this week:



Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for another theme project - Animals.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Jeremiah 32:17  Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.

Please take a moment to pray for your friends and family need of healing both physically and mentally.  I have a list of friends and family who I pray for daily.  Take a moment - it might make all the difference in the world.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Animal House!

I live in an animal house - do you?  We have 2 dogs (really 3 if you include my Agnes who is here most of the time but actually belongs to my daughter), 2 cats (one of which my daughter brought home and is not going to be taking when she leaves), a snake (which will be leaving when my daughter does - I don't really care how) and some saltwater fish (again - staying - eek!).

In honor of all animals everywhere - this week's theme is 'Animals'.  :-)

Here is another project by Diane featuring one of our furry friends.


Diane used stamps from Stamps By Judith and Heathers to create this adorable card.  If I didn't already have 2 cats -  I might want that one too.  :-)

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for WOYWW.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Please pray for all those being persecuted for their religious beliefs throughout the world.  Let's pray for tolerance.  We should all be free to worship in our own way.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty.............

This week's theme on the blog is 'Animals'.  Who doesn't love animals?  Well if you don't - you're not gonna like this theme.  But for those animal lovers out there - this is a great week for you.

I'm going to start off the week with this awesome ATS Stamp from Fun Stampers Journey.  If you purchase $50.00 in product you can get this stamp free with your order.  For every $50.00 in product you are eligible to pick a gift from a group of items that you get for FREE.  Who doesn't love free.


The sentiment just CRACKS ME UP!




I used 6 x 6 cardstock from The Mighty Dollar.  I used Zig Clean Brush markers to color the kitties.  I will do a video on how I did it soon.  The ATS stamp is free with a purchase of $50.00 in products from Fun Stampers Journey.  The Speech Bubble is from Stampin Up.  The stitched die that I used to create the circle opening in the card is from Lil Inkers Designs.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more Animal fun.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Matthew 5:44  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute.

Please pray for the leaders throughout the world that they will consult a higher power in their decision making.  That they will consider the good of the world in all that they do.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

White with a Splash of Color

A couple months ago the theme of my blog for a week was 'white with a splash of color'.  I used die cuts for most of the week, but it morphed into a stamp in black with coloring on one piece of the image.

Here are the latest cards that I've made:


I used a stamp from Inkadinkadoo and colored only the flowers in one vase.  I put the image on a purple background and there you have it - add a sentiment and you have a card.


I used an ATS stamp from Fun Stampers Journey.  I picked one flower in the vase and colored it with Zig Clean Brush Markers.  I put it on some floral cardstock and added a sentiment from Paper Smooches along with some enamel dots.  A card was born.


I used an ATS stamp from Fun Stampers Journey (it was a gift for my Birthday from Fun Stampers Journey - Richard Garay).  I used some printed cardstock from Doodlebug.  And of course I colored it with my Zig Clean Brush Markers.


This stamp is one of my all time favorites from Northwoods from SBN Memories.  I colored the tulip with my Zig Clean Brush Markers, placed the image on a coordinating color cardstock and that on a cardbase.  And, yep you guessed it, another card done.


I colored this ATS stamp from Fun Stampers Journey with my Zig Clean Brush Markers.  I used dies from My Favorite Things to cut out coordinating cardstock.  I placed it on a base and added a sentiment.  And, of course, another card.

Here is a video showing you how I color the individual piece of the stamped image:


Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some fun Animal themed projects.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

James 5:16  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Chistmas in July Wrap Up

Well this wraps up a Christmas in July.  It was a struggle getting into the Christmas spirit when it's 90 degrees outside and it's dark until 9:30, but I finished the week up strong.

Here are two more cards:


I used a stamp set from The Stamps of Life.  I did some masking and there you go.  I used a Jelly Roll pen to put a little sparkle on the card.

I entered this card in the challenge at Beccy's Place.  This card has been entered in the challenge at Scraps of Life.


I used the fuse tool from We R Memory Keepers to create this cute shaker card.  I used a stamp set from the Stamps of Life.  I used two oval dies in order to create the opening for the shaker card.  You can see the tools I used below.

I entered this card into the challenge at A Smile 4 Kids Challenge.  This card has been entered in the challenge Scraps of Life.


I've had lots of fun this week making Christmas cards.  I actually started singing Christmas tunes.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......  But back to summer now.

Thank you for stopping by the blog.  Have a great day and tune in tomorrow for some more crafty fun.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Friday, July 24, 2015

It's Christmas in July!

I don't want to frighten you, but Christmas will be here before we know it.  So we're trying to prepare ahead of time by making some of our Christmas projects in July.

This gorgeous card is from Dee:



"Magical Moments" Christmas card
Card Recipe: cardstock from Hobby Lobby. Window die is Sizzix, snowflakes punch is
EK Success with blue Elements crystal stickers.  Sentiment from Unity Stamps, Alison Kreft, heat embossed with Stampendous embossing powder Lapis Pearl. Banner Die from Cricut cut from Vellum and placed flat down. Scene (behind window) is Hero Arts, stamped, heat embossed with Stampemdous Blue Magic.
Inside card
Sentiment stamp is by Hampton Art, stamped with Tim Holtz Distress ink, Chipped Sapphire.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in again tomorrow for more Christmas - if you dare.  ;-)

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

It's Christmas in July.  Don't freak out!  We still have 5 1/2 months, but it will be here before you know it.  Check out this project.


Isn't Santa a cutie?

Tune in tomorrow for some more Christmas in July.  I know - it's almost over.  lol

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  I hope you've enjoyed the Christmas projects this week.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Matthew 5:44  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

WOYWW 320 - A BIG MESS

It's 'Christmas in July' theme this week on the blog.  But today is Wednesday which means I take a picture of my messy messy desk and share it on Julia's Blog.  But the fun part is going around to other's desks and snooping.  :-)

Here is my desk:



I was really busy making all kinds of fun crafty things this weekend.  This week I needed cards for a Birthday, a congratulation card for a friend who got married, a sympathy card and my Christmas cards for this week's blog posts.  Sheesh - I'm wearing myself out talking about it.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more Christms fun.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.








Tuesday, July 21, 2015

CASEing Sandy Allnock

I am straying from our theme this week to share my CASE of a card Sandy Allnock did.  I am really happy with the way it turned out.  I gave it to my boss for his birthday and he enjoyed it too.

Here is the video that Sandy did on the background technique:


This is my version of the card:



I used the Under the Sea Stamp Set from Fun Stampers Journey for the sea life.  I used Zig Clean Brush Markers for the background just like Sandy did as well as to color the sea creatures.  I used an embossing folder Yummy Dots from Fun Stampers Journey to create the 'bubbles' in the water.  I really enjoyed CASEing her card and am very pleased with the result.

Thank you for stopping by the blog.  Tune in tomorrow for WOYWW.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ...........

in about 5 months.  But we're having Christmas in July.  I had a little trouble figuring out what I was going to make, but once I created this card, I came up with an idea for another card!

Here is my card:




This card is a mish mash of products.  I used a stamp that I was gifted.  It is somewhat like this set A Year of Flowers.  I used Stampin Up White Embossing Powder, the pine branch for the background and the from Ornamental Pine.  I watercolored the images with Zig Clean Brush Pens.  I wanted it to be more red, but with watercolor the red was diluted.  I like the way the color turned out though.

I've entered this card into the challenge at Cards in Envy.  I also entered it in the challenge at Christmasstampin

Thank you for stopping by and Merry Christmas (in July).  Tune in tomorrow for another Christmas project.

April

1 John 4:10  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Wonders with Washi - Use it - Don't Stash It!

Have you ever had one of those weeks?  You have a list of things you need to do each day.  Then - something unexpected comes up.  You didn't plan for that to happen, yet you still need that birthday card.  Here is a 'cheat' for your card making needs.  Use it sparingly.  :-)




For the quick and dirty method - skip the embellishments.  But if you just can't bring yourself to that clean and simple - add a few enamel dots and drop that puppy in the mail.

Here is the video!



Thank you for stopping by my blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for Christmas in July.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?

Please take a moment to pray for our world leaders that they look to a higher more wise power to guide and direct them.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Everything Summer Wrap Up

This week has been all about summer.  We started out on the beach and we end up looking in the window.  Dee has created the most adorable summer window scene.



Summer
Card Recipe: Window and Flower Box from Sizzix called Susan's Garden. Flowers from a Marvy punch and leaves from Sizzix sizzlits die. Window background embossed with a Sizzix Brick embossing folder. Cardstock is Authentique from Jenny at SBN Memories. Green cardstock in window background is a DCWV Marioosa stack 6x6.

Well that wraps up this week's summer theme.  Next week's theme might freak some people out.  It freaks me out!  Christmas in July.  I hope I am inspired because goodness knows my goal of making one Christmas card a week fell by the wayside about the second week of January.  ;-)

Have a great weekend.

April

Romans 8:18  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.


Friday, July 17, 2015

Summer is Flowers

Summer means flowers.  I used the Regarding Dahlias stamp by Stampin Up to create this cool card.



I used the new Stampin Up In Color Watermelon Wonder ink to stamp the dahlias.  The sentiments are from Paper Smooches.   I'm lovin this color and this stamp.  There are so many options for this stamp.

Thank you for stopping by the blog.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Summer Summer Summertime

This week's blog theme is all about Summer or Everything Summer.  Diane has once again outdone herself with the AI ladies.



Love Love Love his card.  And the umbrella popped up looks awesome.  These ladies are rockin it in the sunshine!

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more summertime fun.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Psalm 33:18  But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

WOYWW 319 - In Memory of Eliza.

It's Wednesday which means that it's time to take a picture of my work area and share it on Julia's Stamping Ground.  Then I am going to go surfing from desk to desk to check out all the desks across the world.

Eliza, one of the dedicated deskers passed away suddenly this past week.  I will always remember her great pictures of Yoda and he always supportive comments on my blog.

Here is what my desk looks like:



I have been playing with my new Fuse tool and trying out a no line watercolor technique.  There are just so many things I need to do and so many things I want to try.  There's just not enough time in the day.  :-)

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some more summertime fun.

April

2 Timothy 1:7  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Please pray for the leaders throughout all the world that they be guided by a higher power and make decisions based on the good of all their people.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

It's a Summer Thing - I Think You Understand

It's all about summer this week on the blog.  Summer is probably one of the most popular seasons.  There is sun and fun.  Beach time, picnic time, play time, school's out -  what's not to love!

Here is my contribution to this week's theme.  I have a flip flop thing as you will see.  Well maybe you won't.  I will explain in a minute:


I used paper designed by Lori Whitlock for Echo Park (I believe).  I used my new Fuse from HSN to create the shaker part of the card.  The sequins are from my stash as is the cardstock.  


I think my acetate flip flops get lost in the printed paper.  I used a die set from The Stamps of Life to make the flip flops.  Diane suggested I add Wink of Stella to them, but both of mine seem to be stopped up.  The sentiment is from the Stamps of Life, too.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for WOYWW.

Have a great day and where ever you are - be there.

April

1 Samuel 2:2  There is no one holy like the Lord;  there is no one besides you;  there is no Rock like our God.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Everything Summer!

This week's blog theme is everything summer.  If it's related to summer - it is this week's theme.

Sherry kicks off the week with her cute card from the Silhouette Store.



I would feel better once I received this card - wouldn't you?  You can find the crab at the Silhouette Design Store.

This is a great start to our summer theme.  Tune in tomorrow for some more summer fun.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Phillipians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Use it! - Don't Stash it!

Hi, my name is April and I'm a craft hoarder.  I believe they say acknowledgement is the first step to curing a problem.  Problem is - I don't want to be cured.  I'm a craft hoarder and I like it!

I do, however, want to use my crafty stash.  So I am sharing my adventure with my crafty hoarding friends.  If you're not a craft hoarder - it's okay - no judging here.

I created some cards using the embellishments I created with my new Anna Griffin Minc.





How gorgeous are those foil butterflies?

Here is the video sharing my experience with the Minc.


Don't be afraid!  Open those boxes full of crafty goodness!  Get crafting.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Tune in tomorrow for some Summer Fun.

April

Proverbs 20:22  Do not say "I'll pay you back for this wrong!"  Wait for the Lord and he will avenge you.

Everyone say a prayer for the leaders of our nations that they look to a higher power for guidance and wisdom.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Peeps Wrap Up

I have one more people project to share with you to wrap up this week's theme.  She is a cutie from Fun Stampers Journey.

Check her out:


I used a mixture of tools from multiple companies.  The image from the Capture the Moment Stamp set from Fun Stampers Journey.  I used Tombow Watercolor Markers to color her.  I used a die set called On Film Framelit Dies from Stampin Up.

 This little stamp is from Technique Tuesday.  Is it ADORBS or what?


I'm just loving this stamp.  She doesn't require a lot of coloring because she is a small image.  Probably about 2 x 3.5.  You will be seeing her quite frequently on my cards.  :-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  I hope you found some inspiration with the people projects this week.  People are the hardest thing for me to color so it was a nice challenge.  Tune in tomorrow for a demonstration of the Anna Griffin Minc machine.  I am going to FOIL the world!  And tune in next week for the theme 'All Things Summer.'

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Psalm 51:12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

Please pray for the wisdom and strength of the leaders of all our nations that they look to a higher more noble power to guide them.  Let them be driven by the needs of their people and not greed.

Friday, July 10, 2015

More Peeps and Not the Sugary Kind

Is sugary a word?  Well it didn't squiggly line it, so it must be.

The card I have today features a stamp set from Stamping Bella.  It is perfect for a card to send to one of your crafty friends.




I used Zig Clean Brush Markers to color the Callista loves to craft stamped image.  The paper is Limeade Splash from Fun Stampers Journey.  I used dies from My Favorite Things.

For the Zig Clean Brush Markers - I stamp the image on watercolor paper with a water resistant ink like Versafine Onyx Black Ink.  For this image I didn't add any water - I just used the markers as is.  I LOVE these markers.  I started with the set of 24 trying to be conservative.  I wish I had purchased the full set of 60 now.  Oh well, I have some more on order.  They sell them individually so I can supplement my collection.

Tune in tomorrow because I have another fun people card.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Have a great day and be inspired.

And it is NASCAR weekend in Kentucky.  Even better than that - my favorite driver - Carl Edwards is driving the MINION car!  I am going to have to make some minions in honor of the occassion!

April

1 John 3:18  Dear children, let us not love words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Pray for the world leaders that they be guided by a higher power and work towards the good of all people of the world.

Time to Be Merry Challenge at Creative Knockouts

It is Thursday and that means it is time for a new challenge at the  Creative Knockouts Challenge Blog .  This week's theme challenge i...