SSS36 Celebrate King Jesus

It's hard to believe how quickly Christmas seems to come and go! For me, the weeks just before Christmas are filled with shopping for gifts, decorating, meal planning, and house cleaning...all in preparation for the Christmas Grand Event....celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, opening gifts, and eating an elaborate meal and spending time with family and friends. As the festivities of Christmas Day come to an end, all is once again quiet...I can now sit and contemplate on the abundant blessings of this past year while giving thanks to God for His sacrificial gift...that being His only begotten son who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, that we might have the gift of salvation, forgiveness of sin, and the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven.

My card today uses a portion of an image from the SNSS digital set, 'The Greatest Gift' by Korin Sutherland. In order to create the sentiment I wanted for this particular card, I've combined words from a couple of the sentiments included with the set.
The color combination is Red, Silver, and White.

Of course, the sketch is from The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge, SSS36. If you would like to play along with this sketch, we would love to have you join us. Click the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Badge on my sidebar and it will take you directly to the blog and the sketch. Also, I would encourage you to visit the blogs of the other Sugar Babies for more fantastic inspiration.


I have been a Sugar Baby Design Team Member for 3 months now. It has been an exciting adventure and I'm proud to have had this opportunity. Korin has given us the option to remain with the team for another 3 months...Unfortunately, because of a possible surgery and a couple of other things needing my attention in the coming months, I've had to decline her offer. Having said that, I want to thank Korin for inviting me to this team: it has truly been an honor to work with her and all of the SNSS Design Team Members...they are awesome ladies and extremely talented.

Also, in order to get some personal issues taken care of, I have to step back from my crafting and blogging for about 3 months. I may be able to 'play' a little during this time period and if so, I will post to my blog. But I wanted my 'followers' to know I will be missing-in-action for a short time. Hopefully things will go well during this little hiatus and I will return to my crafting with a clearer mind and more creativity than I've been able to do of late. If any of you would like to be removed from my 'followers' list, I will certainly understand and will not be offended.

May this New Year be filled with wonderful blessings for each of you and your families.

As always, spend time with family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

SSS34 Sing Noel!

Oh my word, I am sooooooooooo cold as I sit here preparing this post for this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge! My fingers are numb and my feet...well, I can't feel them....brrrrrrrrrrr, the wind is blowing like crazy outside, making it feel so much colder! OK....so, I've had ENOUGH of Old Man WINTER, seriously, he needs to move on outta' here!

My Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge SSS34 card uses a digital image from KLM Designs, titled 'Singing Angel'. She is cute as can be, isn't she! It only took me about 8-10 tries at coloring the image before I was somewhat satisfied...just let me say, coloring with Reds is not always so much fun, at least not for me. I don't know what it is, but the Copic Red inks almost always seem to 'bleed' outside my lines...I don't have that problem as much with the other colors, but it almost always happens with the red shades...and forget trying to 'clean up' the edges with the Colorless blender....the red seems to bleed even more, grrrrrrrrrr. Oh well, at least this one is fairly decent and the task is complete.

I stamped the image onto white, colored it using my shades of red...added some gold spica glitter pen to the choir robe collar and also to the stars....Ended with some gold glitter to the angel wings. But, I decided it would be even better if I colored another image and popped it up off of the main image....so here we go with another round of battles with the Copic Red Markers. Once completed, I liked the idea, so I'm glad I took the time to march back into the war zone and win the battle once again....well...this time, anyway!

Be sure to visit the other Sugar Baby Design Team Blogs for more FABULOUS samples using today's Sweet Stop Sketch! We would love to have you join us with the Sketch Challenges, so if you are able to play along with us, please post a link to your project at the Sweet Stop Blog....I hope to find some time this next week to catch up with those who have been participating....it is always a joy to view your designs!

Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate your interest and do hope all of you are having a great time with family and friends during this wonderful season of Christmas Blessings!

Hope to see all of you again, next Saturday!

Spend time with family and friends and then....

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Merry, Merry Christmas....
Barbg(WV)

SSS33 Snow Doodles

Anyone who really knows me, knows this...I don't like the COLD weather, but.... if you have to have cold weather, then give me the snow to go with it because then you can at least have some fun times while freezing to death!


For the last couple of months I have intended to get out all of my 'snowman' stamp images and stamp one of them 'upside down' to look as if he was standing on his hands...it just seemed like it would be a fun idea. Well, I needed to make myself sit down and get something created for this weeks SSS33 Sketch Challenge...I wanted something new and fun to work with, so I went 'browsing' through some of the companies I have in my files. And all of a sudden 'my idea' was staring at me... right in the face... This fantastic snowman....doing a 'handstand' in the snow. Now to be honest, the stamp is titled, 'Rolling Snowman', but to me, he looks as if he is doing a 'handstand. I was so excited to see 'my idea' already done up for me,(hummm, someone else has an imagination similar to mine...now, that might be kind of scary) so of course, I purchased it, printed it out, and have used it for this week's SSS33 Challenge!


I paper-pieced his mittens using the same pattern paper as the background paper. His hat and scarf are colored with copics. I've added red rhinestones for his buttons and orange stickles for his nose. For added dimension and sparkle, I added more stickles beneath his head and hands. I also used 'Snow White Flower Soft' product on portions of the snowman...it makes him look all 'fluffy'.


The Snowman image is from DZ Doodles Delight (link is listed on sidebar).
I purchased a couple other images from them while there and hope to be using them sometime soon.


Well, as always, be sure to check out the work of the other Sugar Baby Design Team Members...they will not disappoint you, I promise! And, if you have time to play along with the challenge, we would love to have you....be sure to post a link to your creation on the Mr Linky post at 'The Sweet Stop Blog'...I would love to see what you do with the sketch!


Also, this week Korin has added 2 new digi images and 2 stamp sets to the website. A portion of the sales from one of the stamp sets will go to benefit a family who's young son suddenly passed away in recent months...you can get more information about this family at the 'Sweet N' Sassy Stamps" website....link is on my sidebar!


As all of you know, this is a very busy time of year for everyone and I have more than enough to keep me busy this month. Because I am a very S-L-O-W crafter, more-than-likely, I will only be posting for 'The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge' for the remainder of this month...I hope you will all understand.


As always, spend time with family and friends and then...


Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

SSS31 Christmas Squirrel

I'm back with another Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Card! Included with the challenge this week, we had to use some kind of 'sewing' technique on the card....it could be 'faux' stitching, machine stitching, or free-hand sewing. For my main image, I chose a digtal image from 'Mo's Digital Pencil'...it was just so cute, I had to have it. I love his little collection of acorns...looks as if he has been quite busy gathering food supplies for the upcoming Holiday meals...or perhaps he is out sharing his wealth with other little squirrels less fortunate than he is....but whatever his intentions, he is a cutie and I had a fun time coloring the image.

For my 'stitching', I simply did a free hand stitch on the edge of the red panel using some gold embroidery thread.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week, celebrating the Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. The Lord has blessed my family abundantly this last year and I have so much for which to be thankful.

Here is my 'short list' of blessings:

1. good health

2. wonderful doctors

3. a loving church and church ministry

4. my 3 children who are all grown and married and have blessed my life with 8 beautiful grandchildren...with more to come

5. my Dad, who is still living and in good health at the age of 77

6. good friends...including those of you who take the time to read this blog and post encouraging feedback

7. the honor of working with Sweet N' Sassy Stamps and Korin....allowing me to share my 'art' with all of you...and for the inspirational talent each of you share with all of us

8. the privilege of being an 'American'...the freedom it allows me to live my life as I choose ...and for those who have willingly served and/or given their lives in an effort to keep us a free nation

9. a loving husband who keeps me 'grounded' and encourages me in all that I do

10. Knowing that I can put all of my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father who loves me more than I could ever deserve.

Don't forget to check out the Sugar Baby Blogs for more awesome inspiration with this newest sketch challenge.

Have a wonderful week of Thanksgiving and may all of you be blessed abundantly!

Spend time with family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS30 Christmas Candle

Here we are with another Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge. For this week's challenge, I'm using a Sweet N' Sassy digital image titled 'Christmas Candle' -- illustrated by Leah Cornelius.

It was very difficult to 'capture on camera' all of the layers I used for the poinsettia of the main image...I printed the image 3 times, coloring the poinsettia of each. From the extra images, I cut out 'sections' of the flower and added them to the main image by gluing just the 'inside edge' of each section....curling the outer edges in an upward direction...the 'center' of the poinsettia is attached using a 'tiny glob' of Zip Dry glue (allowed to dry slightly). You can see just a hint of the layers with this side-view picture, but it is so much more evident IRL! For a touch of sparkle, I've added just a 'hint' of red stickles to a few of the floral petals. A little 'highlighting' using a White Inkssential Gel Pen completes the image.

The 'Candle'..... Diamond stickles were added to the main portion and then for dimension, I've added 'Crackle accents' (Inkssentials) to the top 'melted' portion of the candle and also to the flame. Crackle accents is similar to Crystal Effects but once it dries you get a bit of a 'crackled' effect...similar to the 'cracked glass' technique.

I had planned to use 'shimmery gold' cardstock for the layers of this card, but because I am totally 'organizationally challenged', I couldn't find it! So....I resorted to versamark ink, gold embossing powder, and my brand new 'Heat It' Tool (Ranger) to give a similar 'sparkle' for this card...it worked out OK but if I could have found it,the gold cardstock would have been better. Oh well.....

If I were to make this card again, I would add the 'gold element' to the top right corner, rather than leaving it 'white'....

As always, I encourage you to visit The Sweet Stop and play along with this newest Sketch Challenge. And be sure to check out the other Sugar Baby Design Team blogs....the ladies are super talented and never cease to AMAZE me with their awesome talent!

Links for the Sweet Stop Sketch and Sugar Baby Blogs on posted on my side-bar.

If you decide to play along, please post a link to your creation on the Sweet Stop Blog .... We'd love having you join us and will look forward to viewing your creative designs!

On Another Note

This last couple of weeks, I've not been able to keep up with all of you who 'follow' my blog...well, not nearly as much as I would like...but I do hope to be back to a more 'normal' schedule after next weekend....at least, that is my goal. In the meantime, please know that I'm not ignoring any of you on purpose and I do appreciate your patience as well as your loyalty....not to mention all of the sweet and kind comments many of you have left on my blog! I certainly don't feel deserving of such praise but do appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to share your thoughts and encouraging words with me. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a blessing you are in my life.... I'm so very grateful to God for every one of you!

This weekend...share your time with family and friends....and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

Edited to add: I'm having trouble with the spacing for my blog...I either end up with way too much space between paragraphs, or all of the paragraphs run back to back and the whole post looks cluttered.....grrrrrrrr!

SSS29 Merry Christmas

Oh my word...another week seems to have flown by! Today we have a new Sketch Challenge at the Sweet N' Sassy Sweet Stop and the card I'm posting today is for this fantastic challenge. I enjoyed using a new Hampton Art Rubber Stamp I had purchased on sale at my local Michael's store. It took me a few 'attempts' to get the look I wanted, but once done, I'm happy with it. For the main image, I inked the complete stamp with Versamark Ink and then I inked the top portion of the stamp with black ink and after stamping the image onto my white cardstock I embossed it using clear embossing powder. After cleaning my stamp, I inked the lower portion of the stamp with Versamark Ink and then with Brilliance Red ink, stamped that portion on a scrap piece of white cardstock and then heat embossed using Irredescent Embossing Powder...this gave the image a slight glimmer. I cut the lower portion out and attached it to my main image layer using dimensionals. For the inside of the card, I simply cut out a portion of the pattern paper and glued it to a piece of white cardstock, added 2 shimmery black brads and attached that layer to the inside of the card.

After completing the card, I wasn't completely happy with the lower right portion of the card, so I made a second version and will also share that card with you at the end of this post.

I hope all of you will stop by the Sweet Stop and join us for the challenge and if you do, please be sure to add a link to your creation at the end of the Sweet Stop Post. And don't forget, for MORE inspiration, visit the blogs of all the Sugarbabies...they are listed by name on my side bar...just click the name and you will be directed to their individual blogs. The other Sugar Baby team members are extremely talented and I'm sure you will enjoy their blogs.

And, Korin has created another fantastic group of stamps called the 'Sunbeams' and you can now pre-order the first set. Be sure to check out the Sweet N' Sassy Stamps Website for more details and to place your pre-order!

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy time with your family and friends and then...

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS29 Merry Christmas Version 2

SSS27 Peek A Boo

OK...I am going to try and make this a short post...The Memorial Service for my friend's husband is being held this afternoon. I have double duty--playing the organ for the prelude of the service and I'm in charge of a dinner for all of the family and friends attending the Memorial Service, which will be around 200 people. But, before the Memorial Service, I also have a luncheon to do for about 50-60 people who will be attending a meeting in the early part of the day. At any rate, my mind is going in what seems like a 1000 directions, so I'm going to give you just the basic information about my card for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge SSS27.

My image is 'Peek A Boo' from 'Digital Ink'. They have a super sale going on right now....every digi image on their site is 1/2 price through October 31st....go and check them out...they have a ton of images to choose from with a variety of styles being offered.

Here is the Digital Ink link:

http://digital-inkco.com/

Card D-Tails:
My pattern papers are from Making Memories 8X8 Specialty Multipack 'Autumn Splendor'. The image is colored using my Copic Markers and I've added a touch of sparkle with a few Copic Spica Glitter Pens. I free handed the "Peek A Boo" sentiment and added some doodling around the image.

I used a Martha Stewart Maple Leaf punch for the leaf embellishments in the top left corner and added a Making Memories Velvet Brad to the center.

Other tools/embellishments: SU Top Note die, PTI 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, SU corner punch.

I also Paper Pierced around the edge of the Top Note Die cut layer and then did a faux stitch using my Brown Micron Pigma Ink Pen.

OK...be sure to check out the Sweet Stop Sketch this week and I hope you will decide to join us and play along....if you do, be sure to add a link to your creation using the Mr Linky gadget or add the link in a comment at the end of the SSS27 post.... For your convenience, I'll add the link here:

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

And, the Sweet N' Sassy Samps Website has a beautiful new digi image available, "Pinecones and Holly" illustrated by Leah Cornelius...I'm telling you, it is gorgeous. You'll find it here:

http://www.sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/

And finally, don't forget to check out what the other Super Talented Sugar Babies have done for this sketch...I'm telling you they have some AMAZING creations to share and I'm sure you will find a ton of inspiration while browsing their blogs....You will find each blog by clicking on their names located on my sidebar under, 'Sweet Stop Sugar Babies".

As always, take time to enjoy your family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS26 Sketch with a Spin

Snowflakes....Snowmen....Snowballs....winter time fun!

Close Up View (Click on the picture and you will see the 'sheen' of the Styrofoam)

The Sweet Stop Sketch SSS26

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

Every third week at The Sweet Stop, Korin is giving us a Sketch Challenge with a Spin! Well, this week the 'spin' is to 'recycle' something and use it to make your card. Now, I've heard of these types of challenges and have seen a few interesting ideas, but I've never participated in such a sketch. But now my time has come...Korin has tossed out the 'recycle' challenge to the Sugar Babies! Without a doubt this has been the most difficult challenge in which I've ever participated. I've worked and re-worked the card I'm sharing with you today...to the point that I've just given up...it is what it is and that is all there is to it!

There is so much going on with this card...several different textures and products...but for the main idea of 'recycling' I decided to use white disposable Styrofoam plates. After cutting off the curved rim portion of the plates (I will be saving these to use as 'ink palettes' for my Copic Markers), I punched out my large scalloped circle layer and several snowflakes. The main image is from an Inkadinkado Clear Set #98408 and is stamped onto Papertrey Inc Select White C/S, colored and punched out with a plain circle punch to layer on top of the Styrofoam scalloped circle. I then stamped the main image onto another Styrofoam plate and once the ink was dry cut out the 'snow portion' and attached it to my colored main image for added dimension. The 3 sentiment tags are cut freehand from scraps of Styrofoam and are attached to the scalloped circle edge using Zip Dry Glue.

All of the 'sentiments' on the front of the card are my own ideas and written freehand using a Copic Multiliner SP Pen....On the inside of the card, I stamped one of the sentiments from the Inkadinkado Snowman set which reads: "Christmas brings out the kid in us all".

I will admit, I do like the idea of using the Styrofoam plates for winter type scenes as they have a natural 'shine' or 'sheen' that works well for snow and ice type themes.

Because there is so much going on with this card, I'm not going to take the time to give you all of the D-Tails...if there is something for which you would like more information, just send me an email and I will try to help you.

Are you up for this challenge.....I hope you are!

I can hardly wait to see what your creative minds decide to 'recycle' or 're-create'!

If you are BRAVE enough to join us for this week's challenge, please use the Mr. Linky feature at the end of the SSS26 post and give us a link to your creation. And, if for some reason Mr. Linky is not working, please leave a comment with a link to your project.

Now, be sure to spend time with your family and friends!

And until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

Edited to add: Be sure to check out the other Sugar Baby Designs for this challenge...they have some awesome creations...you can find the Sugar Babies listed in my sidebar...click on their name and it will take you directly to their blog...And while you are there, it is always nice if you want to leave them a 'little love' ...now, go have some fun!

SSS25 Harvest Bowl

Views of Inside and an Upclose View of Main Image

Click on pictures for better viewing

Wow! It's the weekend already...this week has just flown by, at least it has for me. And because it's Saturday, The Sweet Stop has a new Sketch Challenge for you and you can view the sketch by clicking on the following link:
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

And of course, the card I've posted today is using this fabulous sketch!

I stamped the main image 2 times, colored one image completely and colored only the outer edges of the second image...I then cut off the outside border of the completely colored main image and attached it to the other image using dimensionals.
I then decided I wanted just a few pieces of the fruit to have some dimension, so I stamped the image a third time, colored the left apple, the lower right pear and red grapes, cut them out and attached them using glue dots...this gives it just a slight bit of dimension. Once the image was complete, I covered the bowl and the 3 pieces of fruit with crystal effects, dusted on just a tiny bit of dazzling diamond glitter, and then let it dry completely...IRL, the red grapes look as if they have a bit of frost on them...(have you ever had frozen grapes... they are fun to eat in the summer and they usually have a bit of 'frost' on them when you take them from the freezer).

The main image is attached to the 3" circular pattern paper piece and the circle is attached to the main layer using dimensionals. In the end, there is quite a bit of dimension going on with the main image area...which in my humble opinion, is a great look for this card.

After adding 2 Red medium sized shimmer brads to the top right portion of the card, I added the ribbon... making the bow using my fantastic Bow Easy tool...that darn tool is just so cool, and only cost $6.00 from Sharon's Store...I do believe it is one of my MOST FAVORITE tools!

For the inside, I printed the digital sentiment onto a textured piece of solid paper from the Mi Casa Solid Stack... added more strips of pattern paper--on which I used the Diamond Lace Border Punch for one of the layers... and to finish the inside...Of course....I just HAD to add another ribbon and bow!

Sounds like a lot of work, but it all goes together quite quickly...well, it does once you have your plan....

I hope each of you will take some time to view the sketch and think about playing along with us, we would LOVE to have you join us. And if you decide to play along, be sure and link your card to the Mr. Linky feature at the end of the SSS sketch challenge post. If for some reason Mr. Linky is not working, please leave a comment with a link to your project in the comment section of the post. I do take time to view each card posted for the challenge and would be so happy to find YOUR name amongst the talent!

Card D-Tails:
Stamped Main Image: Fruit Bowl 2029 (Karen Lockhart): http://www.lockhartstampcompany.com/2000FruitsVeggies_2006.htm
Inside Digital Image: Harvest Fruits (Sweet N' Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Base is Gina K Pure Luxury Ivory/Image stamped onto Neena Solar White
Image colored using Copic Markers
Patterned Papers: Mi Casa Stack & Mi Casa Solid Stack (DCWV)
Embellishments/Tools: 3/8" sheer Ivory Ribbon (Michaels), Bow Easy (purchased from Sharon Johnson's Online Ribbon/Tool Store), Diamond Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart), 3" Circle Punch (Marvy Uchida), Shimmer Brads (Making Memories purchased from Eclectic Paperie), Dimensionals and Glue Dots, Diamond Dust Glitter and Crystal Effects (SU)

Have a great weekend....and be sure to spend time with your family and friends!
Until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

Hi Friend SNSS Freebie Day

WooooooooHoooooooo.....it's Freebie Thursday at Sweet N' Sassy Stamps....but I only have a minute to tell you about it....got to hurry out the door for music practice at the church. So...I went to SNSS this morning and grabbed the free image....printed it out....colored it up....used a sketch design by Julie Masse of 'StampinwithJulie' blog ( http://stampinwithjulie.blogspot.com/2009/09/prettie-sketch-wednesday-and-some-news.html ) and then quickly pulled this little friend together so I could show you what you can get FREE...but that offer is for today only! Go and grab it today because if you wait until tomorrow or later, you will have to shell out some bucks to get it!

While you are at SNSS take a look at the fantastic new images being released today, they are super...I've already purchased mine and will be using them soon!

OK....here is the link for SNSS~~~~

http://sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/index.php?main_page


Alrighty, I'll try to get back tonight with the details for this card....I REALLY have to get out the door RIGHT NOW.......

Until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

Edited to add:
I wrote the above post in such a rush this morning that there are few points I failed to mention....first, the free image is a DIGITAL image. If you go to the SNSS website you will find this free digital image. The image is illustrated by Leah Cornelius, a new digi designer for SNSS! Secondly, today, you can get the complete set, which includes the image I used on my card and 2 sentiments, Free!!! What a super fantastic way to begin your digital stamp collection. If you are unfamiliar with how to use Digital stamping...go to my sidebar and look under 'Digital Stamping...How it all works -- Tutorials'....Deedee Anderson has created these tutorials to help beginners learn how to print, crop, flip, and rotate digital images. There are other sites with tutorials for digital images also, but at this time I do not have permission to use their information on my blog...but nearly all stamp companies, who offer digital images, have information about downloading and working with digital images on their specific website. I resisted using them for so long, but once I got started I have come to enjoy them very much and now prefer to order digi's...especially for images that I know probably won't be used for a long period of time (having said that, they will stay on your files until you delete them). Digi's are much less expensive than clear or rubber stamps and work with most of the common printers and inks....it's the paper you use to print them on that makes the most difference...and for printing my digi's, I prefer Neena Solar White or PapertreyInc select white....and occasionally I use Gina K's 80# and/or 120# weight papers. Some people have great success with Stampin' Up! white and Georgia Pacific White (from Walmart) but because I use Copics for coloring those papers don't do as well for ME, having said that, I know some who use those papers with Copic markers and have great success.
OK...enough about that.

My card D-Tails:
base cardstock: PTI select white
Image printed onto PTI select white
Image colored with Copic Markers
Embellies/Tools: Pearls, Stickles, EK Success Diamond Lace Border Punch, Marvy Uchida 3" Scallop Circle Punch, Martha Stewart 1" circular punch, 5/8" wide Red Grosgrain Ribbon (SU), white cotton embroidery thread, Spritzer (SU), Glue Dots, Dimensionals (SU).