Tuesdays mean "Try Something New" and the 28th of the month means "Challenge Your Stash"... so I combined the two.

Now does that make any sense at all??? Let me explain.

I set a goal to try new things this year - so every Tuesday on my blog I try to show something new I've tried regarding this hobby I love.  Challenge Your Stash is a group I'm in on SCS. The idea is we use products we already have to create a card/project based on the theme one of the members chooses. We post our items on the 28th of every month.

LJ is the Challenge Your Stash hostess this month and she gave us the theme "Take Flight" (things that fly)...  So I went with butterflies.



The new thing on my card is the technique I used for the background. It's actually something I learned from a Unity video tutorial - yesterday. (Okay, I procrastinated and didn't make this card until last night... but I am on time.) You can check out the video HERE.

Truthfully, my background looked weird, don't you think? But then I splattered it with water to create waterspots and let it dry before embossing the butterfly onto it with white embossing powder and then splatter embossing it with Fran-tage Shabby Blue Embossing Powder. I really kind of like how it turned out overall.









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 Stamps: My Favorite Things Blissful Butterflies and Unity Here Today, Here Tomorrow

Ink: Dew Drops Mediterranean Blue, Gina K Black Onyx, Tim Holtz Distress and Versafine

Embossing Powders: JudiKins Opaque White and Stampendous Fran-tage Shabby Blue

Cardstock: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Brilliant Blue
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

This is the last Monday of February... and since I've mostly dedicated Mondays on my blog to Frantic Stampers, I'm going to show you two more cards I've made with Frantic Stamper's February die release. And the exciting thing is.... there's a whole new release to start showing you next week!















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Card #1 Supply List

Die: Frantic Stamper Beautiful Rose
Sentiment: Hero Arts Hello stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink
Papers: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Pretty in Pink Cardstock and scraps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Pearls

Card #2 Supply List

Die: Frantic Stamper Pretty Bouquet
Papers: Recollections Blue and Staples Ivory Cardstock and Designer Paper from my scrap file
Embellishments: Charm and Washi Tape from unknown vendors

What's not to love about a cute puppy?







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Image/Sentiment: Newton's Nook Pub Hugs stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP! Dapper Denim Cardstock and Designer Paper from Paper Studio Spoiled Rotten Paper Pad

Embellishments: Paw Brads from an unknown vendor

I just wanted to color - so I did...






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Image: Sugar Nellie Apple Pip stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP! Cajun Craze and Wild Wasabi Cardstock and Stampin' UP! Designer Paper

Border Punch: EK Success

Embellishments: Simple Stories Say Cheese II Enamel Dots
SaveSave

It was a Sunday. I'd had my morning quiet time. I'd been to church. I'd worshiped. But I just felt I needed to dig deeper into God's Word that day. My soul was longing for God.

So I took out my Bible and I started reading... searching for something to refresh me. I read verses about God's power. I read verses of encouragement. I read laments and I read praises. Then I stumbled upon Psalm 42:1.


It is a familiar verse... but in that moment - when I read those familiar words - I knew! I knew that was exactly what I was feeling.

And I wanted to capture that moment, so I got out my Journaling Bible and I prepped the page - which means I spread a thin layer of ecru acrylic paint on it (using a plastic card much like a credit card). As I waited for the paint to dry, I reflected on God's goodness... and how much I need Him every moment of every day. How I long for Him.

When the paint dried, I gathered a stamp set, inks, colored pencils, etc. and I got creative.




It was a Sunday - note the date in the lefthand corner of the Bible page - 2/19/17. But I saved this to show you today... as part of the PDE Linky Party ABAC Challenge.


You have all week to participate - so why not try your hand at something other than a card - anything other than a card - and play along with us.

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Stamps: Our Daily Bread Quiet Waters colored with colored pencils

Ink: Dew Drop Mediterranean Blue and Memento Rich Cocoa

Papers: Recollections Cardstock and DP from my scrap file

Embellishment: Cloud 9 Rain Drops

The Chickies are at it again - the Creative Card Chicks, that is.

We are a fun group - Suzy keeps us organized and we each get to have a turn at being the hostess. The hostess sends a kit to everyone in the group and on the 21-23 of each month we strut our stuff - hmmmmm... I mean, we show what we created.

This month Carol is our hostess and she sent us a fun little bundle of goodies. THANK YOU, Carol!

Image: Art Impressions - Tan It - with wiggle disk
Echo Park Summer Party DSP - Sunshine Rays, Ice on a Stick, Clothes Line, and Bikini Season
Ribbon and Other Embellishments













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The only thing I used to make my card other than the items in Carol's kit was some cardstock - Recollections Black and Kraft.

I colored the image with Copic markers.

There is so much to be joyful about this week. It has been a FANTASTIC week!

My husband was actually gone for 8 days (Monday through Monday). He went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. While he was gone, I was everything to our son Brock. (Well, not everything. Brock does love his "Kelly" from work, and "Tiffany" too... but I was the one made sure his needs were met, took him to the park to feed his ducks, and even took him to McDonald's...



Brock and I did fine! That's something to be joyful about.

And my husband's trip went very well. He came home exhausted, but happy. Some became Christians while he was in the Dominican. Some were baptized. He got to preach numerous times. It was a good week.

He came home with a suitcase nearly full of dirty/smelly clothes for me to launder, but nestled in that suitcase was also a treasure for me...


I love my new kettle. I have fond memories of my own mission trip to the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago. It was a great experience! One of my memories is of kettles similar to this one - only much MUCH larger! The Dominicans cooked in them on an open fire... the most delicious rice and other dishes you can imagine.

My husband brought me my very own! How fun!!! I'm super excited and am already trying to figure out what to cook in it.



This is week 7 of My 50 Truths Challenge. I don't know if others are enjoying reading about the chapter/excerpt in the book, or seeing the cards I create based on that chapter/excerpt... but I am thoroughly enjoying the process. So far this personal challenge has been a great experience for me.


A job opportunity moved Maria and her family out of their Washington DC townhouse and transported them to Germany, where they spent 3 1/2 years. One of the biggest challenges for Maria was the language barrier, since she didn't speak German and English was not spoken - much - in her new homeland.

Neighbors tutored she and her family. More than that, they embraced Maria and her family. They shared homemade studded or onion pie. They took Maria's children to the farm where they got to drive the old tractor. They invited Maria's family to Sunday dinners. And when 9/11 happened the received a heartfelt letter from the mayor, expressing solidarity and sympathy.

Maria says the language difference was challenge, but it paled in comparison to the lessons she learned about living as a foreigner in a strange land.

Her new neighbors always - ALWAYS - treated her with kindness. And with each gesture of acceptance they offered her, she felt a pang of guilt. She remembered the many times when she still lived in Washington DC that she had failed to be "friendly" to those of ethnicity that entered her circle of influence. The play dates she didn't invite them to, the dinners and movies they didn't embrace together, the failure to offer a friendly greeting or invitation.

She noted if her German neighbors had treated her the way she treated others in Washington DC, she would not have had nearly as grand an adventure in this new land as she did. The German experience changed her. In her words, "I hope I always remember that I have what it takes to speak volumes with anyone. Even if I can't use many words."




Obviously my card does not feature a German image - that little penguin is Asian. I know that. But this card communicates what I took away from Maria's story - she's sorry she didn't embrace those of ethnicity when she had opportunities to do so.



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Image/Sentiment: Sugar Pea Designs Rice Rice Baby stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: PaperTrey Ink White and Recollections Blue Cardstock and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Your Next Stamp Gum Drops

It's Tuesday - so I tried something new and I just HAVE to show it to you!

But not yet....








I've never before done that little fold-down thing that gives movement to the inside of the card. I'm not sure I'm a fan... but I did  have fun trying it.





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Image/Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Butterfly Basics (colored with Copic Markers)

Ink: Gina K Black Onyx and Memento Cottage Ivy

Papers: Recollections White and Stampin' UP! Wild Wasabi Cardstock and papers from my scrap file

Die: A Muse Studio Butterfly Trio

Embellishment: Your Next Stamp Gum Drop

Who doesn't like to get something new to wear - a new dress, lovely top, or even a new pair of jeans? I know I do.

And I also LOVED getting a new "pleated dress" die to play with - one of the many perks of being on the Frantic Stamper design team.








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Supply List

Die: Frantic Stamper Pleated Dress
Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Bordering Blue Cardstock, Crate Paper DIY Shop Paper Pad and scraps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Brads and Washi Tape from unknown vendors

It's time for the second challenge at International Art & Soul. The first one was a huge success! If you participated, THANK YOU!









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Image: Delta Sunflower II stamped with Versafine Ink and embossed with Commotion Copper Embossing Powder and colored with Spectrum Noir Sparkle and Zig Wink of Stella Markers

Sentiment: Stampabilities Hi stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink

Papers: Recollections Brown and White and Stampin' UP! Daffodil Delight Cardstock and DP from my scrap file

Recycled Item: Bread Clip

Embellishment: Seam Binding from an unknown vendor

Sweet Stampin' has a GREAT theme for this week's challenge. Check it out...









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Image: Stampin' UP! Field Flowers
Sentiment: Hampton Arts Thank You
Ink: Dew Drop Sunflower Yellow, Gina K Black Onyx, and Memento Cottage Ivy
Embossing Powder: Ranger Ancient Gold
Corner Rounder: Creative Memories
Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP! Daffodil Delight Cardstock and DP from my scrap file
Embellishments: Recollection Pearls

I. don't. do. tags.

Well, not normally, but I did today...






Of course, for me, it means more than a tag... so I'm using my tag as a bookmark for a Bible Journaling page. I'm actually pretty excited about this page... I actually like how it turned out.





This verse has long been very special to me. I often find myself asking the Lord, where will You send me? (Where shall I go?)


And God has sent me - inside the passport on this page I've recorded the ten international mission trips I've been on so far.






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Images/Quote: Concord & 9th Map Love and Sweet 'n Sassy Across the Miles
Ink: Gina K Black Onyx, Memento Lady Bug and Paris Dusk, and Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Pumice Stone 
Tag: Paper Studio
Other Items (all from unknown vendors): Baker's Twine, Luggage Tag, Map, Passport, and Ribbon

Have you been to the Gerda Steiner Designs blog this month? The progressive challenge features an adorable image.... I Love You More than Chocolate Piggy. If you didn't play along last month, you can buy the image in the Gerda Steiner store... but if you did, you received him for free. Isn't that cool? And by participating in this month's Gerda Steiner Progressive Challenge, you'll get next month's image FREE. It will be delivered directly to your email at the beginning of March.

Everyone. is. a. winner.





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Image: Gerda Steiner Designs I Love You More than Chocolate Piggy colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Brown and White Cardstock and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Ribbon and a Flower and Brads from an unknown vendor