Thoughts of Encouragement

Don't live with your treasure undiscovered and don't die with the treasure still in you.  Press forward.  Give birth to the dreams and desires that God has placed in your heart.

BAPTISMAL CARD

I am involved in our church's baptismal ministry and I work with families wanting to baptism their children.  It is a process of approximately three months and I work closely with the parents in preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism.  At times it feels like its taking too long, but I finally have a family that is ready.  I wanted to make them a card to congratulate them and this is what I made. 

Lattice BigZ Trellis (#115958)

This is the Lattice die from Stampin' Up which I cut out on the Big Shot in Chocolate Chip cardstock (CS).



From the lattice shape I cut out a cross.  

Top Note die (#113463) and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (#120175)

Also used the Top Note die and cut out the image on the Big Shot.  Then embossed the Top Note with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (EF).

Took a 4" x 5" piece of Vanilla CS and embossed it with the Framed Tulips EF to give it a beautiful frame.

Crosses of Hope (#120567) and Modern Label punch (#119849)

Using the stamp set Crosses of Hope I stamped the verse in brown ink and shaded the edges.  Then mounted it at the bottom of the card.  Added a few rhinestones and my card is done.

Well I'm praying that God blesses this baby at her baptism.  It makes me feel good to know that I was a part of this baby's initiation into God's family.

Thank you for stopping by, have a great weekend, and may

"God Bless You."

Beautiful Card Holder - Part II

This is the second half of my card holder.  I can't believe how nice this card holder came out.  I've decided to schedule a class on how to make this card holder, so check my calendar of classes. 

For some of the embellishments I used the Cricut cartridge Lyrical Letters, which has great phrases. 

The front and back covers of the card holder are chipboard covered with the designer paper (DSP) called "Lady Couture" by DCWV.  I used the DSP from this stack for my entire card holder. 

This is the last page and the inside of the back cover, but my decorating didn't stop there.  I wanted to make sure the back cover was just as stunning as the front.

I love the elegant vintage look, guess I can say it takes me back in time.  I hope you enjoyed this project and if you live in Vegas, Nevada, I invite you to come to my class.  

Come back and visit me soon.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

In every moment of every day, God is by my side delighting in me, encouraging me, lifting me and calling me to step into all of the wonderful things He has prepared for me.

Beautiful Card Holder - Part I

On Monday,  I got together with my friends Lisa and Emily to make a spiral card holder.  This is Part I of my completed card holder.  I decided to post only half of the pages today and tomorrow I will show you the other half so that this post wouldn't be so long.  

I was very happy with how my card holder came out.  I used the new "Lady Couture" stack by DCWV.  I fell in love with this designer paper when I saw it at Michaels.  As you will see it has some gorgeous designs.

The card holder has a calender for each month of the year with space to write in birthdays, anniversaries, important dates, etc.  Thanks to Lisa, who printed out the calendars for us.  It has a pocket for each month in which you can save cards for those special occasions.

I embellished each page with flowers, rhinestones, pearls, ribbons, etc.  I used red and black card stock for the base of each of the pages.

I used a 3/4" black binding wire by We R Memory Keepers and with the "Cinch" bound all the pages together.  Or I should say, Lisa did all the hard work and bound the holder for me.  Thanks again Lisa. Please visit Lisa's blog @ http://cricutmomof2.blogspot.com

We've reached the half way point, so what do you think so far?  I'm ready to start another one as soon as I get some free time.  I promise to post the second half tomorrow, so come back and visit.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

Keep God's incredible promises front and center in your life every day.  They can be found in your bible, if you only take time to read them.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  -- Matthew 6:33

BLOSSOM PETALS REVISITED

Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted a card made with the stamp set "Build a Blossom" (#121994).  At that time I didn't own the Blossom Petals punch that coordinates with this stamp set.  Well I can scratch that one off my "wish list"-- I finally got the punch.  I made the flower for this card with the punch and the embossing folder (EF) Vintage Wallpaper.

Framed Tulips (#121809)

On a piece of 4" x 5"  Crumb Cake card stock I embossed the edges with the Framed Tulips embossing folder.  I am hooked on all of Stampin' Up's textured impressions embossing folders.  They just add so much elegance to the cards.

Finial Press (#115963)

For the following flower I used the Finial Press EF to give my flower this beautiful effect.

I embossed two quarter sheets of Eggplant Envy CS to cut the petals of the flower.

With a brayer I distressed the CS with Eggplant Envy ink.  This gives the design a very nice finish. 

Blossom Petals punch (#121808)

Punch out eight of the large petals to form the flower.

Glue down four of the petals as shows above.  With a stylus or a pencil curl the edges of the other four petals before gluing them down with a glue dot.

You're a Gem stamp set (#122270)

Stamped the word "friend" from You're a Gem.  Then added a metal ornament to the center of the flower and placed a small strip of lace ribbon to the Crumb Cake CS to embellish my card.

Placed mounting tape on the back of the embossed CS to add dimension and mounted it to a full CS base (same color).

Of course, I had to add my butterflies or it wouldn't be complete.  Used the Beautiful Wings embosslit (#118138) and the Little Leave sizzlits (#114511). 

Which one do you like best?  I think any color would look great.  I'm going to try yellow and white CS for the next couple of Blossom Petals I make.

I learned how to make these flowers watching the below video:

 http://stampwithtami.com/blog/2011/02/blossom-petal-punch/

Thanks for visiting my blog.  I appreciate you spending time with me.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda 

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES

Good Monday morning everyone!

As you know, one of my favorites are butterflies and I love to use them on my projects.  I think they are one of God's most beautiful creations. 

Beautiful Butterflies (#114507)

For this birthday card I used Stampin' Up's Beautiful Butterflies.  You can cut four different sizes of butterflies so the possibilities to create with this die are endless.

For the base of the card I used kraft card stock (CS).  Then I mounted Pretty in Pink CS cut at 4" x 5".  I measured 2" from the bottom of this piece and cut from the edge to the middle (2" mark) to form a triangle.  Using the Sending Love (#117153) designer paper (DSP) cut at 3 3/4" x 4 3/4" repeat the same as steps to form another triangle.

Cut a piece of Real Red CS at 1" x 4" and using the Scallop Trim Border punch (#118402) punch a strip to add to the top of the card.  For the butterfly I used the Sending Love DSP.

Back view of butterfly

To form the antenna of the butterfly I used black crafting  wire which I taped to the back of the butterfly with clear Scotch tape.  

I added a pearl to the head of the butterfly and its ready to fly.  Tomorrow I have another butterfly card using the Beautiful Wings embosslit.
 
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you can come back again. 

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

Today, think positive thoughts of hope, faith, and victory.

BLISS

Webster's dictionary describes "Bliss" as:  1.  great joy or happiness  2.  spiritual joy; heavenly rapture.  "Bliss" is the name of this stamp set which is one of the Sale-a-Bration (SAB) sets that are free with any $50 Stampin' Up order. 

Butterflies are one of my favorites, so when I saw this set in the SAB catalog I knew I had to get it.  I stamped both the butterflies and motif with red ink on white card stock and then I cut out the butterflies with scissors.  On this card I used red rhinestones.

Bliss (#123217)

Sale-a-Bration ends at the end of March, so if you want to get this stamp set for free you need to do some shopping before the end of the month.  Hopefully you will decide to visit my Stampin' Up website @ www.erlindastamps.stampinup.net, and place an order.  Or you can contact me through email @ www.erlindastamps@gmail.com.

Same card made with Perfect Plum and Pale Plum CS.  I added lots of tiny pearls to both the motif and the butterflies.  Stamped the word "friend" from "You're a Gem" stamp set (#122270).

Not a very good picture, but I wanted you to see the pearls. 

Framed Tulips embossing folder (#121809)

This is the embossing folder I used on both cards, Framed Tulips.  It gives the cards a very elegant look.  I hope you liked these cards.  If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. Thank you for stopping by, enjoy your weekend, and please come back and visit anytime.  

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

Father, I don't want to be a doubter; I am a believer.  I trust You to lead me in the right direction as I break through the barriers in my mind.  Thank you, Father, that You have good things in store, not just for me, but for my entire family!

SCALLOP CIRCLE CARD

Sending Love DSP (#117153)

I recommend you check out the Clearance Rack at Stampin' Up's website for this beautiful specialty designer paper (DSP).  It is called "Sending Love" and the package contains 12 sheets of 12 x 12 DSP.  At only $4.99 a package it is truly a bargain.

Scallop Circle (#113468)

To make this scallop circle card I used a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of Real Red CS folded in half.   With the scallop circle die I placed the CS slightly below the cutting edge to keep it from completely cutting at the fold line. 

Flower Folds (#115970)

Next, I used the Flower Folds die to cut the smaller three flowers out of the Sending Love DSP.

With the 1/4" hand-held circle punch I punched all around the front of the scallop circle.

With the rectangle punch I punched two slits at the top of the scallop circle and inserted white grosgrain ribbon to create the "cheaters" bow.

The DSP is double sided so I alternated designs and mounted the three cut flowers to the scallop circle, added a white silk flower and a pearl to finish my card.  Hope you like it.

Thanks for visiting and come back again soon.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

If you don't think your dreams will ever come true, they never will.  If you don't think you have what it takes to succeed and set a new standard, it's not going to happen.  The barrier is in your mind.

FUN FLOWERS

This coming Thursday, my friend Vicky Lopez from Kreation Korner is hosting a shoebox card swap and the theme is birthdays.  This is my swap.  Let me show you how you can make this card. 

Fun Flowers die (#121812

I used Stampin' Up's (SU) Fun Flowers die and cut these pretty flowers on the Big Shot.  Within a few minutes I had quickly cut 12 sets of flowers to prepare my shoebox card kits with Real Red card stock. 

Vintage Wallpaper EF (#120175)

With the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (EF) by SU, I embossed this pretty image on vanilla CS. 

You layer the three flower shapes on top of each other.  I curled and shaded the edges with brown ink.  Then glued a pretty red heart button to the center of the red flower.  Mount the embossed CS onto a kraft card base and then add your flower to the card.

Well Script stamp set (#118601) & Decorative Label punch (#120907)

I stamped "happy birthday" from the retired Well Script stamp set on vanilla CS and then cut the verse with the Decorative Label Punch.

To get the 3 layer effect of the label, you will punch out two additional labels, one in red and another in kraft CS.  Then cut each label as shown above. 

Now you're ready to glue the cut labels to the back of the original stamped label leaving about a 1/4 of an inch of each label showing. 

This is the view of the back and front of the label.  I placed mounting tape on the back of the label and adhered it to my card.  Also, added a small piece of Chantilly ribbon (#118480) and my card is done.  

I am looking forward to attending the shoebox card swap.  This is the first time this group will meet on a monthly basis.  The card swap will take place the second Thursday of each month.  For additional information visit Vicky's blog @ http://kreation-korner.blogspot.com.  

Come again and let's share some time creating.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda