Blog Hop Winner

After removing my Design Sisters' comments, and those comments that were repeated, the winner of the Clearly iStamp Blog Hop is ....................... Rachel Taylor of Blossom Cards. Please leave your email address in the comment section here so I can email you the Monster Mash set that I used on my card for the Blog Hop. Thanks everyone for dropping by and commenting. It really means so much. 

Hugs

Dana

Word Art Wednesday Guest Designer

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to share a card that I made for Word Art Wednesday Challenge. I am Guest Designer over there today and would love if you could drop by and checkout all that the Design Team is doing and to play along with this weeks challenge. 

As always, the challenge is " Anything Goes " and always should be family friendly. This weeks sponsors are "Shabby Cottage Studio" providing the winner with 3 sheets of images and also, "Your Next Stamp" is giving away a $20.00 gift certificate. Please remember to link up your actual blog post featuring your card for this challenge and not a link to your blog name. 

This week the scripture verse was a very special one because it truly reminds of how much God values us, but also how much He values His word and His Promises to us. This is my take on this challenge and I hope that you like it. 

While reading this verse, I started thinking about what images that I had from Clear Dollar Stamps that represented that God kept and valued his promises.  I immediately thought of the set by Laurie Wilson called Ark of Faith. 

What better story to demonstrate God keeping His promises and covenant, than the story of Noah. ( Genesis 6:1 - 9:17) This story really shares about the obedience of one man and is family during a time when they could have ran from God, but instead chose to embrace his command and purpose for their lives. This was not a typical every day job, but one that required wisdom, obedience and a love for God like no other. This love must have been amazing because what else could drive a man to make sure that every animal of every kind (x2) was on that boat, to plan ahead for provisions for his family, and every animal. To make sure that everything was according to the instructions that were provided him. Wow!! And I find it difficult to always find time in my day to have some quiet time to reflect and restore for another day. Lol. This guy, he went all out!! 

To have a faith of this nature is something desirable for sure. I aspire to have a faith of this magnitude. To trust that when times are difficult or when life brings hurts & pains, that I will always trust in God to bring me through. That at the end of all my storms, that the clouds will dissipate, that the rays of sunlight will be streaming down and just beneath that will be an amazing brilliant rainbow, a reminder that God's word is true. That he does keep His promises and through it all He will never leave me. It reminds me of another verse that ask , Where does my help come from? Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

So the next time you see a rainbow, remember that before it came into view, the clouds were heavy with rain, the sun was blocked from sight, and everything looked dark. But now, everything is filled with glorious, radiant color  bright and beautiful. The sky is clear and the future looks oh so bright!!!

Why not pop over to Word Art Wednesday to download this weeks scripture verse and play along in the challenge. We would love to have you. Here are some close ups of my coloring. 

Close up of shading and highlighting.

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Mediums: markers, crayons, white correction pen 

Digtial Images: Ark of Faith/Laurie Wilson, Sentiment/WAW

Adhesives: ATG, Pop Dots, Mono Aqua Glue/Tombo

Embellishments: Brads/Dollarama & Memory Makers, Ribbon/Chatterbox

I added texture by printing the waves a second time, coloring them and than popping them up with pop dots. To add even more character and dimension I used my white correction pen to add foam for the tops of the waves. You can see what this pen looks like in this post where I made another card that had waves. 

  This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge Blog: Challenge # 97

Bearly Mine Challenge: Anything Goes/challenge # 96

Heck of A Challenge: July- The Sea

Make It Monday: Challenge 150

I trust that your summer is going well and that your making some great memories with family and friends. Of course, I trust that you get some crafty time as well. Until next time......

Blessings

Dana

Choose Love

Just wanted to share this amazing video that I came across. It is another reminder that regardless of how we are treated by others, no matter how mean or nice, everyone has got their own story to tell, some good and some not so good. It doesn't always make it okay for others to treat one another unfairly, mean, or unkind, but it does help us to see into the heart of others and what might be causing them to act this way.

I recently had to deal with someone who was very rude and the sad part is that this person was suppose to be a professional. The embarrassing part is that this all played out in front of my son and I am ashamed to say that I became angry instead of sympathetic to why this person was treating me unfairly and unkind. Once our appointment was over my son expressed how rude he felt this individual was and of course that set me off. My words of disappointment were then voiced and  were spoken in anger. I had to tell my son later that the attitude and behavior of that person was not acceptable, but that I should not have let it get to me so much either and that I was sorry for my own anger.

Every time these things happen, it is always an opportunity to act the right and proper way even if the other person isn't doing the same. For the biggest part I let these things slide because I think that the other person is just having a bad day and I am their target at that moment. It isn't fair but we all do it right!!! Like my Mom would say when we were growing up " Better to let someone else talk about you or treat you mean, because at least than they are leaving someone else alone." Good advice, but a hard one at times. But when someone is blatantly rude and unprofessional it really can sting. Sometimes it can cause such a disappointing feeling and make you question where did that behavior come from. But most importantly it is a life lesson and one where we can learn more about others and a lot about ourselves. 

Understanding is always a key element in any situation and if that can be given, the outlook can always look so much more positive and encouraging. 

So the next time someone snubs you, acts rudely, treats you with behavior that isn't acceptable, remember that behind those words or actions, may be a person who maybe having a really bad day, month, or even year. I guess the best way to describe this understanding that we should all try to give each other is Grace. This grace being something that you get but don't truly deserve, an unmerited favor. 

I would say that providing understanding to each other really is evidence of grace in the making. The verse Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." always helps me to remember that just like the grace I have been provided, that I need to do the same for others. It is awfully difficult though at times to do this, especially when the unkindness of others makes you feel so utterly humiliated and upset.

This way of understanding or providing grace doesn't condone the person but just provides love and understanding. Hopefully I will remember this better the next time it happens. Lol. Praying that all is well in your little corner of the world and that you are living in the grace-filled moments. 

Love & Blessings
Dana

Clearly Digi Stamps Blog Hop

Well, it's the 3rd Sunday of the month, which also makes it our blog hop day! Make sure to play along for your chance to win some really amazing digi stamps. There are many to choose from. Each month we will have a theme which each Design Team member is challenged to interpret any way they like. 

July Theme

CLEAN & SIMPLY

And here is my take on this Clean & Simple Challenge.

Remember when you were scared of the Monsters under your bed, or when you wouldn't let your feet dangle over the bed at night for fear that a Monster would grab you. Well FEAR NO MORE!!! These Monsters are so adorable and lovable that you will never be scared again. 

Monster Mash By Laurie Wilson

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Pattern Paper: Lime Twist/MME

Stamps: Monster Mash/Laurie Wilson

Adhesives: ATG gun, Pop Dots

Ribbon: Unknown/Ribbon Stash

My card was based on this sketch below and I turned it upside down to have the wider middle piece to be the area that I placed my sentiment. Why not play along for your chance to win!

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday: Challenge 87 - Anything Goes
Sketch Saturday: Week 268
Brown Sugar Challenge: Challenge 51
Crafty Ribbons Challenge: Challenge 53

There will be a prize each month!  Each DT member is showcasing a digital image, and you could win that image! There will be a winner from each participating DT member's blog.  

WINNER: The winners will be randomly chosen from comments received on DT member blogs. The winners will be announced on the CDS blog July 25th. 

Time To Get Hopping Friends

Let's go look and see what the other DT members did! You should have came here from Dee's Blog and if you did your on the right path. If not than start from the CDS Blog. The links are provided below. 

Remember, leave an encouraging comment and be entered to win our contest....the more comments, the more times you are entered!

 Blog Roll List:

CDS Blog

Jennifer- My Cubby Crafts

Deanette - Deanette's Delights

Dee - Dee's Designs Blog

Dana (Me)  Your Here!!

Linda - The Stamper's Touch

There is lots of fun to be had along this hop, so get too it!! Lol. Make sure to share some love with each designer by adding your comments. You never know, you just might win!! Now you need to visit the ever talented Linda. You will love what you see I promise. Lol. 

Blessings

Dana

July Release Day

Welcome to another Clearly Digi Stamps Release Day. This release is sure to please and the variety is wonderful.  I first decided to work with two sets by a new illustrator to our team, Patrick Dunnigan. This first set is called Dinos and is sure to be great for any kid theme card or scarpbooking page layout. 

Now the possibilities are endless with this digital set. You can make these look masculine or change up the colours to make it a card more for a baby shower or first birthday. Here is my take using this set. I have to say that I love how this card turned out. So bold, bright, and fun.

  

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

Art Card Challenge: # 5

Aud Sentiment Challenge: Challenge # 84

  

Close Up of Shading and Highlighting

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections, Canston Watercolour Paper

Digital Stamps: Dinos/Patrick Dunnigan, Sentiment/Tiny Dinos/Laurie Wilson

Coloring Meds: School Markers, Watercolor Pencils 

Journaling Pen: White Gel Pen

Embellishments: Baker's Twine 

Adhesives: ATG, Pop Dots

The next set that I had the privilege to work with was the Time For School Digital set. These are great for labels for teacher gifts as well. This card is the one that I made for my son for doing such an amazing job this past year in school. He worked very hard and passed with flying colours. Great job sweetie!!!

 I used a sketch from Sweet Stop for my card today and here it is below. 

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections, Canston Watercolour Paper

Pattern Paper: The Grade School/DCWV Stack

Digital Stamps: Time For School/Patrick Dunnigan

Coloring Meds: Watercolor Pencils, fine tip black marker

Tools: Creative Memories cutting mat and circle templates

Adhesives: ATG, Pop Dots

Close Up of Colouring of Worm

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

365 Cards: Centered

The Sweet Stop: SSS219

Sister Act Card Challenge: # 15

Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

   

To see more amazing creations please check out Clearly iStamp Blog. You will be happy that you did!

  

Thank you so much for dropping by today. I trust that I have inspired you to create with digital images and have given you some new ideas to use. I trust that you are all doing well and enjoying the summer months for those in the Northern Hemisphere and those abroad, I trust that your keeping warm and enjoying your days of crafting as well. 

Until next time.....

Take Care & God Bless

Dana

Publication News & Back To Blogging !! Yay!

Hi Everyone:

Phew! It has been way to long since I have been here! It was a much needed break. But now that I have dealt with some personal stuff, finished homeschooling for another year, completed some more writing for my novel, and most importantly, took some time to refocus, I am now ready to have some creative time again. 

In case your wondering, I really did miss you guys, just that life got really out of sorts there for a little while, and I became overwhelmed. So therefore some time to refuel, refocus, and rest was what was needed. I think that it may have done the trick, because I am ready to start again. I want to say a BIG Thank You to all of you who decided to stick around. It really means so much to me. I know there are other blogs out there with more activity than what this one has been in the last little while, and knowing that you didn't stop following me during my absence makes me love ya more. Lol. Really!!

I wanted to share with you all that recently I had a card published in Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine in the Winter/February edition. Yes, I know that is a little while ago but I am just getting around to sharing now! Better late than never!! Lol. It is still out there on the shelves of some of the local stores, because I say it at one of our local supermarkets just a month ago. You can still get it to order from the website too if you want one. 

To order this magazine go here!

Now this is the card that got published in this magazine above. 

Card Supplies:

Stamps: Florentine/Hero Arts,  

Adhesives: ATG, Pop Dots

Sentiment: Cut with Cricuit Machine

Cardstock: Autumn Leaves, Recollections, and Stampin' Up

Pattern Paper: Karen Foster Designs, Basic Grey

Embellishments: Jewels & Lace/Dollarama, Pearls/Prima Marketing 
Inks & Paints: Ranger Distress Inks, Stampin' Up, and Americanna Paints

To view more details about this card please see this post. 
And I am super happy to share that I got a full page spread all of my own. Yahoo! The team at Canadian Scrapbooker did an amazing job with the staging of this card and so many others. 

My Card Publication 

I cannot seem to get a good picture no matter what lighting I use. Sorry if it is way to dark. I also wanted to say that the tree was made using Sweet & Sassy Stamps tree silhouette set. I stamped it on watercolor paper and used the reverse side to add my green color. Then I did it again but cut the pieces apart to give more dimension to each tree branch. I looked for this set but can't find it now. When I do I will give you the product name and number. I did look on their website but could not find t. It must be out of stock now. It was a old set that my friend Ceal gave to me. 

Here are the credits and product list. 

And here is another picture that is a little better than the first but missing some of the white in the page spread. I would like to add that the red in this photo is not this bright. It is more like a barnwood red than a bright red. 

I am so blessed to have my work published and you can too, just submit!! Lol. 

The heat is really unbearable here tonight and I don't know how we will ever sleep because we didn't last-night. The temperature today was 35 degrees but feeling like 42 with the humidity. And tomorrow the forecast is for 35 degrees again and that is not with the humidity.  At least we are not having snow right!! Lol. So I guess I better get to bed and try to get some sleep. Trust that your all doing well and enjoying your summer. Until next time.....

Take Care & God Bless
Dana