Cards, Cards, Cards

On Thursday evening, I decided to participate on the Unity 23 Challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  How does one make 23 cards in less than 3 days??  I didn't think I could do it, but the challenges were rather fun although some were just not in my comfort zone.  I decided to try a few to see if I could get the creativity going... and I was hooked!!  I pulled out ALL my Unity stamps (I didn't realise I had SO many!) and started.

Here are some of my favourites (I'll try to share more in the next few days) :

This card was for the Ribbon (USCWCMD09) challenge.  I decided to keep the card in black and white and added the ribbons for a pop of colour.  I guess I wanted to tell a story with this card that we should dare to dream, in colours, and extraordinary dreams.  I hope you like this.

Stamp : Unity One Precious Life
Ink : Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock : GKD Ivory
Others : stitched ribbons, Sakura pigma micron Sepia (0.5) for the borders

This one's a really simple card.  The challenge was a card with photo in it.  This was a picture captured in Prague last year, and I loved it.  I added a simple stamped border at the bottom of the card and wrote "wish you were here" in white gel pen along the side of the photo.  I used Colorbox's Pigment Ink Frost White - I'm really pleased with it being really white against the dark cardstock, but it took a long time to dry and in the end, I used a heat gun.

Stamp : Unity KOM June 2010
Photo : Printed using HP semi-glossy paper
Cardstock : GKD Smoky Slate
Ink : Colorbox Pigment Ink Frost White, Sakura white gel pen

This card was for the Soar Challenge.  I used a background stamp with Versamark, then stamped the bird in Smokey Gray.  Then stamped the sentiment on the side in Black.  Coloured the hearts with a red marker.  Assembled the card and added a frame around the stamped images (that seems to be my favourite thing to do...lol).

Stamp : Unity Life Becoming (bird), Unity KOM April 2010 (background stamp) & Unity KOM June 2010 (sentiment)
Inks : Versafine Smoky Gray, Onyx Black, Versamark & Memento marker Lady Bug
Papers : Pink Paislee Queen Bee (6x6 pad), cardstock PTI Vintage Cream
Others : Corner Chomper (for the tabs), Sakura Pigma Micron Sepia (0.5)

Have an Amazing weekend!!

Trust in the Lord...

Today's card has one of my favourite verses - it's taken from Prov 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding". 

Some time back I posted that my father has Alzheimers - it's been 2.5 years since diagnosis and we've seen fast deterioration in his condition.  Recently, I was away for 3 months, and even during this short period, there's significant changes in his condition.  He is now having problems finishing his meals, and his memory lapses have increased.  A good friend of my dad's remarked to my mum, how could God have allowed this to happen to one who served Him faithfully.

I pondered about this, and decided that although my dad is no longer the same person he was, God walks with him.  My dad is still able to say his prayers daily and to sing praises to the God he loves.  When he prays, it's like this is not a person who has Alzheimers, but a really normal person.  I do believe with all my heart that even though my father's memory is fading, God will remain so real in his mind to the very end.  So, some things in life are beyond our comprehension, but the faithfulness and mercy of God are real, and He deserves all our trust.

Here's my card, inspired by the challenge at Mojo Monday 160.

I hope you have a great week!

Stamp : Verve
Inks : Versafine Vintage Sepia, Distress Ink Scattered Straw
Papers : Cosmo Cricket Togetherness (6x6 pad)
Cardstock : PTI Vintage Cream & Sweet Blush
Others : EK border punch, Corner Chomper, Spellbinders Label 14

Unity Addicts Challenge #21

Unity Addicts' Challenge #21 requires a card using 3 stamps from 3 different Unity kits.  That's easy I think because I have sooooo many Unity kits.  But, my favourite kits are always from the Unity KOM.  Not only are they good value kits but the images are all so very cute, and sometimes they include images that I would not normally opt for, but because they are in the kit, I have to make use of them.  So, all in all, it's also a great way to use images outside of one's usual style.

Here is my card:

The beautiful frame is from the July 2010 KOM, the sentiment is from the September 2010 KOM and the cute button is from the August 2010 KOM.  The frame was stamped using Versamark and embossed with Sparkle & Sprinkle's Peanut Butter embossing powder.  The sentiment was stamped using Versafine Onyx Black, and the button was stamped with Versamagic Red Brick and sponged with Distress Ink Tea Dye.  Thanks for looking.

Stamps : Unity KOM Kits - July 2010, August 2010 & September 2010
Inks : Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Red Brick, Distress Ink Tea Dye
Cardstock : GKD PLC Ivory & White
Others : scrap patterned paper, white gel pen, ribbon, Scor-buddy (for embossing the outer edge of the card)

Wild at Heart

This is one of my favourite stamp sets - GKD's Wild At Heart.  I'm not very keen on inky techniques, as I don't like inks on my fingers, etc but this stamp set has one large image which is perfect for an ink technique.  You'll see what I mean, here's the card:

Firstly, ink up the stamp using various Memento Markers.  Then spray an ink blender onto the stamp.  Place a watercolour paper cut to size on top of the stamp & press all around the image.  Lift up the paper carefully and dry the image with a heat gun.  When dry, stamp the sentiment using a Waterproof ink.  Mat the stamped image onto a white card, and adhere it to the card base.  Very easy!  I think the card is lovely as is.

I hope you will try this simple technique :)

Stamp set : GKD Wild at Heart
Inks : Memento Markers, Ink Blender - Tsukineko's Ink Potion No 9, Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock : GKD PLC Wild Asparagus

Mojo Monday 159

Today's post is for the Mojo Monday contest 159.  I have been admiring the beautiful cards on Mojo Monday blog for ages, but I never had time to create & submit a card for their challenges.  Their sketches are always very inspiring.  Here's sketch no 159:

I have a few birthday cards to make this month, and what better way to create them using sketches.  So, here's the card I made using the above sketch:

It's a card for a very old dear friend of mine.  I tried to keep to the sketch but I always tend to stray a bit :)  I'm hoping the recipient of the card will like it.  Thanks for looking.

Stamps : Unity KOM July 2010, GKD Tropical Windows (sentiment)
Papers : Pink Paislee 365 degrees, PTI cardstock Spring Moss
Ink : Versafine Vintage Sepia, Memento Markers
Others : AC buttons, Tim Holtz paper clip, PTI twill spring moss ribbon

Card Patterns Sketch #84

It's good to be back home again, back at my own desk and being able to participate in some challenges.  Here is my card for the Card Patterns challenge, Sketch #84:

Playing with colour combination that I've never used before : Orange, Navy, Cream.  Just a simple card, which I think is typical of all my cards :).

I hope you have a great day & thanks for stopping by.

Stamps : GKD You are Not Alone (I love this set!)
Papers : Pink Paislee 365 degrees, October Afternoon Report Card, digital paper scrap (can't recall which one)
Cardstock : GKD Ivory
Ink : Versafine Vintage Sepia, Memento Paris Duke
Others : i-rock crystals, PTI mat stack die, MS Border punch-loop

You are Not Alone

Today's card is inspired by the challenge at Stamp TV and also the Stampin' Sisters' blog (Challenge #59).  I love this Stamp set by Gina K, You are Not Alone - it has so many comforting sentiments.

Rebekka Reed's sharing on Gen 1:1 is so appropriate.  I think the evidence that God is the creator is so plain for us to see.  Sometimes it's easier to ignore the truth because it demands a response from us which we are not prepared to make.  The easy path is always more attractive.  If only we see how short life is, and how long eternity is, perhaps we may understand why we need to acknowledge our creator.

Stamp set : GKD You are Not Alone
Ink : Colorbox Frost White, Versamark (focal image), Versafine Vintage Sepia (sentiment)
Embossing powder : Stampendous Detail White (focal image)
Cardstock : GKD Ocean Mist & Kraft
Others : Spellbinders large scallop circle, classic scallop circle, i-rock crystals, GKD jute trim, Sakura white gel pen