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Showing posts from February, 2017

Sympathy cards and digital tips

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Making sympathy cards is not one of my favorite cards to make. Because of that I seem to never have any on hand, you too? Today I made three cards using the same image.  I wanted to have some on hand for the next time I needed one. The problem is three fold, Images, Sentiments  and Content.  Or What do I really want to say and how do I want to say it.  I would guess that is the crux of card making:  Expression.  I know some card makers don't try to make a "statement" every time they make a card, but I do.  Maybe it is because I am a youngest child - the need to be heard! Anyway I wanted to express hope  and that while there has been an earthly loss of love, the Greatest Love is everlasting and can be turned to and embraced by.  The Lord will always love us and that transcends all stages of life and death.  Under His wings there is love and peace,  we have shelter and protection.  So when I send a sympathy card, that is what I want it to say.  Especially when I reall

Thursday night left overs!

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Inspired by my Friend Donna over at   Papyrus Studio   I've started a 24-hour event on my FB group, Christian Card Makers  called Thursday night leftovers.  Like it sounds, we try to use up those "bits" that are always growing by leaps and bound in the basket!  I keep mine pretty well wrangled and this event helps me use them and get a few cards made for Heart Line Ministries. HLM is a part of our group's activities, where we make and send cards to encourage people for many reasons, it is also a prayer list, that we keep lifted up.  If that sounds like something you would like to get involved in, you can click her to join Here are a few of my cards from yesterday:  No fancy photography, we just add them to the album as we make them, a show and tell bit of fun! Thanks for stopping by and if you are interested in joining a group with a purpose, stop over and check us out  at Christian Card Makers! These are also being shared on Word Art We

Another share for Everlasting Love and scarp cards

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My last share for the Everlasting Love set by Graciellie Designs has been made from using scraps. I have a scrap basket that is 6x8 and that is it. I don't save itsy bitsy things, and I don't do make ahead die cuts from scraps. I may have mentioned in a past post that this year I am going to focus on not buying anything I absolutely don't need. Here is the Everlasting Love   set Here is what I started this card with:  Here is the finished card: This card has a lot of layers but it is flat enough to easily mail and is 1oz.  I used distress inks on the wings, fussy cut the roses, pulled the background and glittery framing paper from stash. I realize this card might be a little gaudy for some taste, but that is okay, stretching our card making comfort zones is a good thing! For my Gracielle Design Team series next month, I am going to give you some tips on using digital paper back grounds and good news you don't need photoshop!!  If space

Crafting for a cause

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Over at Christian Card Makers , I have a challenge to support one of the members card making "ministries"  The requirements to qualify for the prize drawing are to send to "Pat" 5 cards.  These cards will then be sent to a list of folks that are semi invalid.   I made a few extra using "bits" from my stash; If you are interested in making cards to encourage people in a fun drama free community ( no participation requirements, you might like Christin Card Makers!  Thanks for stopping by! Ginny M

Creating a digital calling/ business card

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I carry and give out business/calling cards on a regular basis.  I've had commercially printed cards but my favorite are the ones I make. This week when I attended a new church I didn't have one card to hand out to some of the people I met and would have liked exchange my information.  While I was sitting the pew the perfect design for me ( for this month) popped into my head. I wanted a very simple and elegant card, I wanted to  make a visual statement. I wanted very little info on it: my phone number and my website. For something like this the paper itself will have as much voice  as the image.  So I choose a 130# cold press watercolor paper.  Cold press will have a little less texture than hot press, and have a beautiful feel in the hand! This paper is a lovely light cream color and the ink is super black - it has a toile look with  the  design. I choose "The Journey" set from Graciellie Designs  Just a note here, these designs are meant for persona

Time and season and freebies

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Over at my facebook group Christian Card Makers, I have just launched a new feature I'm calling 'Make it and Mail it Friday'  I'm combining the verses by Karen Murray at Word Art Wednesday with some of my favorite vintage digitals. The result will be a fast and lovely card meant to be mailed out to encourage someone.  I am going to encourage you if you are a Christain card maker to check out our fun and creative group and after you've made your card you can enter it the word Art Wednesday anything goes challenge and maybe win a fabulous prize and then mail it out! Here is the verse: The image I used, you can use your own or use a rubber stamp, whatever you enjoy most! my combo: And my card: This verse is a very well know verse, used in both wedding ceremonies and funeral service.  It is a verse that no matter what It offers hope and relief.  We all know there are many seasons in life and through the course of life, we learn to trust God, g

Thursday night left overs!

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I've created a series of events on my Facebook group ' Christian Card Makers'  to help the members make cards and get them sent to people who are on two lists in the group.  The lists are called the Heart Lines Ministry.  We send cards of encouragement to people who need a little hug and a and a word of encouragement.  The group itself is a resource and fellowship group for Christian card makers who love God and the Word and love sharing it. No drama, no obligations a fun place with a purpose. Today I launched "Thursday Night Leftovers" I got the idea from my sweet friend Donna and her post about leftovers   SO I thought about having an event that would help us wrangle scraps and get them made into beautiful cards to support Heart Lines Ministry.  Having fun, keeping the cost down and serving the purpose sounds like a win-win to me. I started with this-this morning: My bits basket: Spread out on the desk: Cards I've made so far:

Happy Word Art Wednesday!!

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Time for the Second challenge of the month at Word Art Wednesday ! Todays' verse ios so reassuring, nothing is too hard for the Lord!  When we walk with him and live according to his ways, there are no limits to the Blessings in our lives!  Today's Verse beautifully done by Karen Murray : I created my Design Team card this month using a printed image that I added ink to and the glazed with crystal effects. I also found a beautiful sequined applique in my crazy quilts stash! I've decided I really need to use up as much of the craft goodies htat I can with making new purchases.  After two cross country moves, I 've really decided I need less stuff and more room! So here is my card made up of "stuff" I hope you take the time to hop over to Word Art Wednesday  and read Karen Letchworth's beautiful devotionl, make a card and share it with us before you mail it and you might win a wonderful prize!! Thanks for stopping by!! G

Because He First Loved us, the truest Valentine of all!

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Because He First Loved us, we too can love and be loved.  Valentine's day is the "day" for Love, but we are beloved by God every day now and throughout eternity.  what an awesome relationship that is our for the asking! I have a wonderful marriage and find myself more in Love with my sweetheart every day - to be honest, we are not much into the holidays, and I really can't remember an epic valentines day in put last 16 years or even my whole life.  I am I glad because between my husband and the Lord, my life IS and epic love story! My DT set for February at   Graciellie Designs   Is   "Everlasting Love"     Isn't this beautiful?  Check out the Etsy shop, you will love these timeless quality designs! I made this card for our blog hop and my special valentine!  I printed the sentiment on Vellum and pulled a bit of formal lace from my sewing stash: Something special and fun to celebrate  love today, we are having a blog hop

Fast, Beautiful, Frame-able and a tip on using digitals!

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Long time ago I spent many hours trying to become a good calligrapher. This was pre-1990 before the age of  computers and even before word processors (do you remember word processors)? one of my best friends had a vintage pantograph machine that I had dearly coveted. It was just not meant for me to be a hand calligrapher. so fast forward to the present: I am so thankful that I have been able to fulfill my desire to create beautiful art in calligraphy. both from my own computer and from wonderful resources like   Gracielle Designs I Love to digitize scripture for wall and I have a passion to use it in card making. Better yet if I can combine the two!   With most cards I make I attempt to make the card worthy of a frame. Today I want to show you something super simple you can make as a card and as a gift  I used my new  Everlasting Love set and pulled one verse from the group: To use my digitals I have created a template in a 4.5x5.5 size i