February Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop- Last Day- DOGWOOD BLOSSOMS

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's February Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn THIS IS ME!!!
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

I think you will be able, with the 4 projects that I am sharing today, to figure out that this set is my favorite one of this months released sets. I love dogwood flowers. When I lived in Georgia, springtime meant Magnolias, Azaleas and Dogwoods. I love doing paper tole with flower images. The first project on the origami box, shows how I would typically do paper tole with cutting out each petal and layering them. I thought when I saw the set that with only 4 petals a flower that it was going to be the easiest flowers yet that I have used the paper tole on... WRONG!!! This spray of flowers took me almost 2 hours and I still didn't really like the results. I added hot glue centers and colored the glue green. Don't get me wrong, I do like this project it just wasn't matching what I had in my head.

So my next attempts were to have 2 layers of the full flower with the top layer shaped. I added hot glue between the layers and shaped the top petals down over the glue. That gave the dimension that I was looking for with a lot less work. Still the flowers on this book mark took me about 45 mins each. I had this scrap of dp that was designed for a scrapbook where you didn't do anything but put the pictures in the provided squares. It sat in my stash forever because I hadn't found a way to use it... until this project.

The next two cards I love how they turned out. I love the sentiment. I am going to give these cards to my daughters. I want them to know I love them and support them. The flowers on these two cards were done like the bookmark, except I added a huge drop of hot glue to the centers and I took pearl fingernail polish and painted the centers.

This is one of my favorite sketches and just screamed out to me to be used as I was making my projects this week.

I love this song and thought I would share it with you today. Have a blessed day. I hope you have been inspired by my projects today!

February Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop day 4 BLESSINGS

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's February Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn THIS IS ME!!!
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Isn't this little bunny the cutest? It made me REMEMBER WHEN my sister and I were little we each had a bunny. Mine was "Bugs" and hers was "Bunny". The thing I REMEMBER about Bunny was that Bunny had bright orange pee, and when we had to clean out his cage it was really yucky!!! When we got our rabbits, I didn't know that rabbits scream when they are scared. We kept them in a hutch in our garage to protect them from the elements and one time our dog got into the garage and was barking at them, and we heard the most piercing scream come from their cages. They were fine, just letting us know they were upset. I REMEMBER WHEN my kids were little they had a bunny named Sundae, and my son Josh even had a wild bunny for awhile. When Sundae died we tried to get another rabbit. Sundae had been an extremely calm sweet rabbit and when we got Midnight, we expected the same thing. Midnight turned out to be an extremely anxious rabbit that bit all of us so we had to find her a new home.

I stamped the bunny from the blessings set 2 times. Once on the green dp and once on a piece of tan cardstock. I cut the tan bunny out and layered him on the green. I know that these are supposed to be Easter lillies and supposed to be white, but I REMEMBER WHEN we lived on our farm, there were day lillies that grew all along the roadside that were bright orange and pink, so that is why these are colored this way. I hope you are having fun on this blog hop.

I love this song by Alan Jackson called Remember When. It always makes me cry a little bit, but I love it!!

February Blog Hop - Mark's Finest Papers North American Woods

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's February Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods eatured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn This is me !!!!
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

My favorite image from today's set is this little grizzly bear. My oldest son turns 16 this month. When he was little we were having a rummage sale at our church. He found a scruffy, rough (scratchy wool) teddy bear. I think I paid less than a dollar for that bear. He loved that bear and carried him everywhere. My son named the bear GRIZZLE FRIZZ. This grizzly bear made me think of the little boy that I used to have. I think I will slip this birthday card into his book bag.

The grizzly bear was colored and cut out. I used hot glue behind him to adhere him, but I let the glue cool a little to add dimension to the bear. He sticks up beyond the background about 1/4 inch.

I felt like sharing this happy feeling song. It makes me tap my feet, and makes me smile. I know you will enjoy! Have a blessed day!!!

February Blog hop for MFP day one Relax a Bit

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's February Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn THIS IS ME!!!!
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Here is my project for today. I made an origami box with an 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of red dp and an 8" x 8" piece of white cardstock. I filled the box with tea bags. I think this will make a cute quick gift for someone who is going through a stressful time.

Happy Valentine's Day. Had to share my favorite Valentine's Day song with you.

SSIC Challenge 126

Note: If you are looking for the Valentine's Blog Hop hosted by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ and Word Art Wednesday scroll down to the next post.

Bleakness, cheerlessness, desolation, desperation, despondency, discouragement, downheartedness, dreariness, gloominess, hopelessness, misery, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness... DEPRESSION.

There are days that I struggle with depression. I just want to crawl back into bed and not face the world. Especially if the sun hasn't been shining for days. I have noticed that when I'm feeling depressed I get the feeling that I will NEVER be happy again and that I will ALWAYS be sad. I believe that Satan uses that lie, and people have committed suicide because they believed it. When I was in high school, there were 5 students that committed suicide in one year. That is a high rate for the small town that I lived in, high for any town. I was friends with two of the students. I have seen first hand the devestation that lie caused not only in their lives but in their friends and families lives as well. The only answer to being lost, hopeless, and discouraged is Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and THE TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The TRUTH is in Jesus I have hope, the sun WILL shine again, I WILL be happy again, and the depression WILL pass.

Job had reasons enough to be depressed. He lost all his wealth, and all his children died, and his health was bad. These words are definitely the words of a discouraged, sorrowful person. “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas..."(Job 6:2-3)

In an attempt to encourage Job, his friend, Bildad the Shuhite tells Job "Once more will he fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with rejoicing."(Job 8:21)

Sometimes it takes a friend to remind us of that TRUTH. That is why I love that my friend Miesje choose that verse as our encouragment verse this week. Her challenge is an awesome one: Make me smile! Create a happy card - happy news - rejoicing in life. Who doesn't love happy mail?

When I made my card I was thinking about my friend Dee. There are people I know who use facebook to create drama and to complain... but my friend Dee is always trying to bring a smile to her friends. She is always finding fun, clean puns and jokes to share.

WHY IS TEA SO THERAPUTIC? .... BOILING THE WATER RAISES YOUR SELF OF STEAM.

I had a picture in my mind how I wanted this card to turn out, but struggled getting it to work. I finally had to walk away and let it sit overnight. Then when I came back to it, it came right together. The little pull out pocket with the pun on it has a tea bag inside. The teapot is a sneak peek at a Mark's Finest Papers set called RELAX A BIT that will be released this week. Make sure you come back on Tuesday (Feb 14) to check out the MFP blog hop.

In Christ Alone my HOPE is found...

SSIC and WAW Valentine blog hop

Welcome to the Valentine Blog Hop where "It is all about love... HIS love." The Stampin' Sisters in Christ and our sister site, Word Art Wednesday, are joining together for a hop in celebration of love. If you came to my blog from Karen L's blog then you are in the right order if you haven't you might want to head to the start of this hop at the Word Art Wednesday blog.

In celebration of Valentine's Day, this hop is all about love - God's love! Besides all the LOVE-ly eye candy you will see on this hop in the way of cards/projects, we'd like to share the love by offering prizes to our hoppers as well, so be sure to leave comments on each stop along the way!! There is a "Grand Prize" of this complete SU! Stamp set called "Cute by the Inch" donated by the lovely Vicki of The Stamping Room (you can also visit her Stampin' Up page.)




In order to qualify for the Grand Prize Drawing, you simply need to leave a comment on each blog on the hop list. We will announce the Grand Prize winner as well as the winner of our prize here on our blog the afternoon of Tuesday, February 14.

There are several other fun prizes to be won along the way on some of the Designers' blogs as you make your way through the Hop.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9
What stood out to me when I read this verse was the last part… REMAIN IN MY LOVE. The image that came to my mind was a big old tree with its roots going down deep into the ground. When I was young I moved quite a few times. I had hoped to settle down, but since my husband I got married we have moved 8 times. We have lived at our current location for 6 years now and it finally feels like we are putting down roots. For many years I would pack our Christmas ornaments as if I was packing them for moving (to save time having to pack them later). I remember the first year that I just put them back in a box with out the extra wrapping. In an ever changing world what a wonderful thought to be rooted, secure, hanging on, persisting, dwelling, waiting, surviving, continuing … REMAINING in Jesus’ love.

When I started making this card, I started with different paper and a different layout, but the card had a mind of it's own. The dogwood blossoms are a sneak peek at a Mark's Finest Papers set called DOGWOOD BLOSSOMS that will be released next week. Make sure you drop back by my blog next week for the Mark's Finest Papers blog hop. I did paper tole technique on the flowers and then I sprayed them with champagne paint spray. The centers of the flowers is drops of glue that were colored after the glue dried.

This song is one of my favorites. I know it will bless your heart as it does mine.

Now head off to Karen C 's Blog

Stampin' Sisters in Christ # 125

It is my pleasure and honor to hostess this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge. The following is what the Holy Spirit put on my heart. I hope it encourages you and blesses you.

I walked into the grocery store this week and saw all the heart balloons, and flowers, and heart shaped boxes of candy… all ready to be bought for Valentines’ Day. My thoughts went to all the people who won’t get anything for this day. Does that mean that they aren’t loved? I remember when I was in high school, and all of the girls with boyfriends got roses or candy delivered to their home room. I was one of those who didn’t get anything, and I remember feeling sad because no one “LOVED” me. I have a friend who went through a divorce and now she is a single mom, and I doubt if she will get anything this year. Will she feel like no one “LOVES” her? I also have a widowed friend, will she feel loved? Why do we feel like we need a gift to feel loved? I’ll be the first to admit that I feel this way sometimes. Do you know that someone loves you, and gave you a gift already? Not just any gift, but the best gift you could ever receive?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Once you accept that gift, NOTHING is going to take that love away.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I have 2 videos that I think you will enjoy. I know I did!





My challenge for you this week is to make a card/project that shows love. It could be a heart or the word love, or even something that you love using on your cards/projects.
My extra - bonus challenge is: give your card to someone who might need to be reminded that they are LOVED.

For my card I used a big LOVE sentiment from a Mark's Finest Papers set callled Love Remains. I took a piece of white cardstock and stamped flowers using 2 different shades of green. Then I took that piece of cardstock and cut it down the middle. Half I left plain. The other half I ink-spray-smashed with blues and greens. (A technique that I LOVE, with the colors that I LOVE.) I sewed on my card (I LOVE sewing on my cards.) I stamped the poppies and did paper tole. (Flower set that I LOVE and another technique that I LOVE.) I finished my card off with 2 butterflies. (Anyone who has seen my cards for any length of time, knows that I LOVE butterflies.)

This will also make my bonus challenge because I am giving this to a friend that I want to remind about God's love and my love for her. She loves butterflies too!!

Close up of butterfly and poppies.

Our sponsor this week is Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Check them out.
Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue
Traci

Word art Wed 2-1-12 The Joy of the Lord...

I had the pieces for this interlocking folded card on my desk so yesterday they just were calling to be put together. I ink spray smashed the panels, I added this week's Word Art Wednesday chosen scripture : Nehemiah 8:10 "The Joy of the Lord is my strength." I also added coffee filter flowers and 3 butterflies. The butterflies all used the same stamp. I just cut two left sides for the left butterfly and I cut two right sides for the butterfly on the right. I layered the cut butterflies over the second layer. It gives variety to the one stamp. I am linking this to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge as well, because when I made my card for this week, I forgot to put butterflies on it. All my stampin sisters will agree that Butterflies are part of "MY STYLE".

interlocking folded card

I was inspired by Sonia Seller's Cascade Card. I altered her idea to fit on a regular sheet of cardstock. I also put my card on a rectangle base to add stability. Here is my tutorial on how I made this card.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 124

Sunday and another wonderful scripture picked by one of my wonderful friends and sister in Christ, Linda. The scripture she choose is: Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What a wonderful challenge. I know that I am not alone in struggling with my thought life.The following scripture is what came to my mind when I read the other one.
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

Lord, help me to take my thoughts and make them obedient to Christ, and to what you would will in my life. So that you will get the glory and I will be blessed. In Jesus's name amen!

Linda's challenge for us was to: Create a card/project true to your style - show us who you really are!

That was a challenge in and of itself. How would I describe my style? At first I thought I could describe my style as "Romantic, shabby, elegant, vintage, and a little off the wall". But that didn't seem to work, so I would describe my style as "Complicated Creative" But how to make a card that shows that? I choose to make my card with blues and greens my favorite color. It started out as white and I ink spray smashed the blues and greens and sprayed with with antique gold paint spray (My favorite technique). The I embossed it using my music embossing folder, because music is a big part of my life. I play piano and keyboard and sing on the worship team at my church. I added the lace because I love the vintage look. I love flowers, so I had to add the flowers. I added the 3-d paper tole rose because, I am going to share a tutorial on how I do paper tole. My friend Mary asked me about it this week and I thought showing her would help. I am also sharing because I am a teacher at heart. That is what my college degree is in, Elementary Education. So much description for one little card. Thanks for reading through it all. :)

My tutorial:

Our sponsor this week is: Inspired Stamps They are generously giving one blessed winner $15 store credit. Be sure to check them out this week.

Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue
Traci

Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge #123

The following is the scripture that my Stampin' Sister in Christ, Kris, choose for this week: Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

The first thought when I read this verse was about how many times I have been let down by others. I have had people close to me who didn't hold on to love and faithfulness. As a boy scout leader, I have the opportunity to work with boys of broken homes. I am saddened by all that they have to go through because love and faithfulness were not the priority in their parent's lives. My challenge is to be an example for them.

The second thought when I read this verse was about how many times I have let others down. How many times have I put my own needs, my own wants before truly loving those around me? I wish I could say that I am always a loving person and that I am not ever selfish, but sometimes that is not the case.I better get to work getting it around my neck and written on my heart.

The last thought I had was how thankful I am that God shows love and faithfulness that will never leave. These two scriptures came to my mind.

John 3:16 For God LOVED the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will NEVER leave you.



Kris's challenge this week is: Make a heart stand out in your card/project.
Our sponsor this week is Digital Delights by Louby Lou. One blessed winner will get 3 free images from her store.
Make sure you check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for you to see, as well as read what my sister Kris has to say that will encourage your heart.


For my project I used a heart and sentiment from a newly released Mark's Finest Papers set called, YOU ARE CHERISHED. I was going for a Clean and Simple look. I think I achieved that, but I don't think simple or easy are words to describe this card. I fussy cut the flowers out. That wasn't hard I guess, just time consuming. The hard part was figuring out how to stamp the sentiment and leave enough space between the words to allow for it to slip inside the heart. I ended up masking the first two words in the sentiment with a post it note to get the spacing right.

I embossed a the white layer using my dotted swiss (ef). I zig zag stitched the panels in place. To finish the card off I add little drops of hot glue to the centers of the flowers. When I first put the glue on there were those annoying little strings and the drops of glue had points at the top. I took my heat gun and hit them with a quick blast of hot air and the strings dissapeared and the tops became really smooth and round. I then took a marker and added some brown color to the glue. Below is a close up view.


I love listening to this song by Third Day that starts out singing about God's Love and Faithfulness just like today's scripture.



I hope you have a blessed week.

Mark's Finest Papers January Blog Hop Day 4

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!
This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn (This is me)
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

My favorite set of this Months release would have to be this one. I love the big Pansy Heart. I stamped it on heavy white cardstock. I then water colored the pansies. I took strips of white tissue paper and ink spray smashed it with blues and purples. When it was dry I accordian folded it and added it to the back of my heart. I stitched the heart to the tissue paper with my sewing machine. Then I took my deckle scissors and cut the edges. I printed the sheet music and flourish dp on my computer. I sewed them to the black cardstock and added the lace. Then I sprayed the whole surface with antique gold spray. I printed the scripture Joshua 1:9 on my computer because that is this week's scripture at WORD ART WEDNESDAY. I added a paper tole pansy from an older MFP set called Happy Pansies.

With this close up you can see the gold spray.

I used a different translation than Cassandra used because when my kids were little they learned this version in their VBS. Music has such a power to help memorize scripture. All I have to do is say Joshua 1:9 and all my kids can still say it word for word even though it was almost 8 years ago that they learned it. If you would like to hear it I placed it below.

Mark's Finest Papers January Blog hop day 3

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!
This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn (This is me)
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

These postage stamp images, just made me want to go CAS. The rose stamp is stamped 2 times. I cut the square panel up and put cardstock in between the layers to give it dimension. I added a bow and the sentiment. I water colored the top rose stamp image.

Mark's Finest Papers January Blog Hop Day 2

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn (This is me)
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

My inspiration for my bookmark came from my friend Cathy. Check out her card HERE.

I made my turquoise using a piece of turquoise colored paper. I took a black pen and drew the veins on the paper. I then covered the paper with hot glue. I glued tinfoil to cardstock and used the die cut to make the "Silver".

I stamped the sentiment from Cowgirls Rule on the bookmark. I took a pen and doodled the edges and added twine.

Close up view of my turquoise!!

Day 1 January MFP Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

For this set, I used a little paper mache box. I painted it white and hot glued lace to the edges. I use the paper tole technique with the big rose and glued it to the top.

Stampin Sisters in Christ 122

Rev 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He [!] said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

Don't you love new things? New clothes, new shoes, new car, new babies...I know I do. I love the scripture that Traci choose because, I love the fact that I am new in Christ!! The old me was a sinner and had no hope. I think God likes new things too. King David wrote this:

Psalm 96:1 Oh, sing to the LORD a NEW song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Everyday I get the opportunity to tell God anew how much I love him.


Traci's challenge is: Let's use something new on our card/project this week. It can be a new stamp, paper, or embellishment...or even a new technique or an idea that is new to you! Just have fun with your creation!!


The new on my card is the New stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers called YOU ARE CHERISHED. Also NEW on my card is the antique gold spray. I saw on a blog this last week how to make gold spray at a fraction of the cost of "Glimmer Mist" It only cost me about $.50 to make my own gold spray. I may have gotten carried away with it on my card. Also new on my card is the digital paper that I won from Shabby Cottage Studio.




Check out what my stampin' sisters in Christ have created this week.

Give me Roses While I live inspired card

Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away
Roses adorn the narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

Kind words are useless when folks lie
Cold in a narrow bed
Don't wait till death to speak kind words
Now should the words be said

Let us not wait to do good deeds
Till they have passed away
Now is the time to sow good seeds
While here on earth we stay

This song was partially the inspiration for this card. I am part of a women's fellowship group that meets at our church to help encourage eachother with life's issues, but especially losing weight. One of the older ladies in my group lost her mother and husband at the same time, about a week apart over a year ago. I got to thinking how lonely she must feel and I wondered how often someone told her that she was loved. I am going to send her this card, because I do love her and she is a special lady to me.

I used the Love sentiment from a Mark's Finest Papers set that will be released this month called, Love Remains.

The challenge at SCS for ways to use it was to use a sticker on our card/project. Below is the picture of the sticker before I added the coffee filter flowers.

Close up view of the coffee filter flowers.

Here is the song sung by The Carter Family: