There's an App for That

"Though my innocence was taken...not everything is lost...

NOT EVERYTHING IS LOST" (Brandon Heath~Your Love)

This very phrase could sum up 2014 for Marlena McDeavitt, mother of three sweet teens.

This world is a big, overwhelming place for the kids of today.

The whole world is at their fingertips, whether we are ready for it or not.

THE WHOLE WORLD...good and bad.

I. can't. even.

Anyways, I'm glad the Lord has my girlies in the palm of His hand and He's given me the privilege of being their friend.

I can't imagine them doing this growing up stuff emotionally alone.

That being said, I've become a little App savvy and have faithfully created in the cyber realm.

I've taken this week's free beautiful verse at

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #164:Anything Goes

(hey there, ladies!!!)

and created this wallpaper for my twitter account.

As I've mentioned in my "catchup" post, my job is driving teens around right now, so I create constantly with smart phone apps.

If you are wondering how I did this, here are a few tips.

I saved this week's verse, and pulled it up in this app (I paid a few dollars for it).

Then I filtered it

saved it, and pulled it up again on top of a previously pixellated/filtered pic (add photo over a selected background)

(make sure you slide that lever to your left so the bottom layer gets some shoutout).

Now, you can get all fancy or you can leave that beautiful verse alone.

Here's the great thing about this app...you can use a "not so terrific" pic and do WHATEVER you want with it.

I wish I could remember what those gorgeous abstract colors used to be, but I've ran them through so many filters...your guess is as good as mine.

Back to this project...

save it, then pull it up in Instasize for the last step (app for cropping pics for perfect display on Instagram).

Now, I filtered AGAIN in the Instasize App...I am the filter queen...just like I say about Spoon Rests...you can't have enough!! (in this case, filters ;) ).

I love the way the Aspen filter gives the words a beautiful blue hue.

Make sure you save it to your photo album so you can pull it up filtered and cropped.

There you have it...a wallpaper to share on your Facebook or Instagram Wall.

Hope this inspires you crafty bloggers who are currently in a season of treading water to stay alive....

blessings~

Season of Grieving

Make It Monday #194: Sympathy Cards & Stamped Borders

Unfortunately this has been a difficult season of grieving for our local church family.

Melissa's theme this week is the perfect motivation for me since I've been wanting to stamp a special card for at least one of these families.

When there are no words...I thank God for the stamping tools and sentiments to do,

well, at least something.


I know this has been a difficult, difficult season for friends of mine...deaths of people,
deaths of marriages, deaths of dreams.


I don't know about you, but much of my energy has been dedicated to prayer because there is just


so much pain going around right now.

I'm grateful I'm not alone and know that you aren't either.

blessings...

stamps: Papertrey Ink (Meadow Greens,Happy Trails,Rosie Posie)

inks: Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores,Aqua Mist,New Leaf), Memento Dandelion

paper: Georgia Pacific White,Studio Calico Wanderlust

dies: My Favorite Things Sentiment Strips,Spellbinders Large Labels
other: Tonic Studios Paper Distresser

Where In the World Did I Disappear To?

I can't believe I haven't blogged since what....July? Seriously?

Good grief.

Forgive me.

In August we visited family in Hawaii....

graduated a daughter.... (my FIRST homeschool graduate!)...

threw her a shindig...(first party at this house EVER..we've lived here 6 years people)...

threw a sweet 16 party for our middle girlie (and her bff) within a month of that

with customized table decor like these

 

and treats like these...

(these marshmallow pops were fun to make...find the recipe here)

and I've driven a 13,16 and 18 year old everywhere and anywhere they've needed to be since then.

I haven't stopped creating though!

I always have my phone.

 I'm happy just to blog ANYTHING, SERIOUSLY, for now.

By the way, a SCREAMING shout out to dear Amy

who blessed me with a card this Christmas!

I was so touched, I could have cried. 

no joke.

I made ONE STAMPED CHRISTMAS CARD...

ONE, this year! 

WHO AM I???

The rest were bought...so when I opened my mailbox and I saw a beautiful creation from her...well, it made me want to stamp again.

It was SO SWEET Amy~thank you for thinking of me hon!

I have just stamped a card and will try to post ASAP before the challenge ends...

miss you blogger friends!

 

blessings....

Like Cold Water

Woah it's been a while bloggers....sorry bout that.


I got a little crafty time in one day...

This card's for a friend (long overdue)~I sat and filled it up with what's happening in my life.

Word Art Wednesday #142

Simon Says: A Mid-Summer's Challenge

Our summer's been filled with intermittent showers which relieves us from the heat and fills up the pool.


It's not quite April showers either...it's just enough to cool us down.


I expected to have more time to craft but that's ok...it's been a fun active summer.


Hope you're enjoying your days friends~



die: Megan Hardy Girl With Umbrella Silhouette Cameo

stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs Never Thirst
ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx
other: Recollections Citron embossing powder

Even When You're Crabby

I finished this beachy theme project for the

Friday Feature and Challenge #16:Fun at the Beach

and Inspired By #119

(red and white!)

I created the boxes when my girlies were all a little crabby one day

 (stressed out with final papers and such)...

it was therapy for 

ME.

 LOL

 These little cuties are filled with chocolate dipped chips (have you TRIED???!!)

 my. word.

and a chocolate dipped oreo.

  With three teen girlies under one roof....chocolate is a survival tool~

you think I'm joking?

I am SO not. ;)

Honestly, these girlies ARE my friends...no matter how crabby they get.

Simon Says You Gotta Have Friends

They put up with a little bit from the momma crab herself. ;)

One day, I pray they still choose to hang with me~even when they don't have to. ~wink~

No one makes me laugh like these girls.

I am also submitting this to 

Word Art Wednesday #137

where there is a beautiful verse to pick up for free.

Have a blessed day my bloggy, albeit "maybe crabby at time?" friends...

(not that I've ever seen that side of you but someone has and loves you anyway.)

dies: (Cute Crab Box by Nilmara Quintela, 6 Banner Flag Set by Lori Whitlock) Silhouette Cameo, Spellbinders Classic Circles

stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Together Silhouettes

ink: Versafine Onyx

other: Vase Sand Filler,toothpicks

Chalk it Up

Do you have a chalk set that's sitting unloved in the corner?

I forgot I even had one until I saw this week's Papertrey Ink Challenge~oopsies!

Check it out...

Make It Monday #169:Combining Chalk and Stamps with Impression Plates

hostess: Melissa

 I originally bought my chalks to highlight an embossed image for my niece's first birthday about 5 years ago.

You don't need much~I just chalked a bit where I wanted to place leaves.

I stamped after embossing, like Melissa; she's right~the texture is awesome.

I love the fabric feel of the embossed paper too!

Ok, I better get out and enjoy the warm weather. You all have a blessed day now...

stamps: Papertrey Ink (Meadow Greens,Rosie Posie)

die: Counting My Blessings 

chalk: Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks Jewel Tones

ink: Papertrey Ink New Leaf,Memento Ink Dandelion

paper: Echo Park Here & Now,Georgia Pacific White

other: Papertrey Ink Herringbone Impression Plate,Sassafras Self-Adhesive Button Blossoms

 

Winged Whimsy

Summer Monday has a whole new meaning for this family~can I get a YAYYYY????!!!!


Seriously, I've been waiting for this break since September! HA! ;)


I miss my kids....we can finally do fun stuff and hang out!


happy sigh~


I did get a wee bit of stampy time in though...

Check out this gorgeous Bokeh pattern~I couldn't bring myself to cover it up...so I stamped with Versamark.

I clear embossed and smudged distress ink to draw the butterfly out.

I love the effect.

My winged creation is for the

Winged Whimsy Diva Inspirations Hop

I'm also linking it to the lovely challenge

Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #136:Anything Goes

 where you can pick up your free verse if you like.

~Blessings friends~

stamp: Verve Words of Wisdom,Waltzingmouse Nordic Spring

 paper: Echo Park Capture Life,Georgia Pacific white cardbase

ink: Versamark,Versafine Onyx,Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade distress ink

other: Creative Memories oval cutter,Spellbinders classic circle dies,clear embossing powder

Baby Wipe Stamping

I had fun with the baby wipe stamping technique!

Watch the tutorial here...

Make It Monday #168:Baby Wipe Stamping

hosted by Ashley Cannon Newell

 

 

 Don't over think it, just DO.

You won't miss those drops of reinkers...just make sure you have extra wipes handy~you'll find a way to get it on your hands somehow, no matter how careful you are. ;)

Happy weekend friends~

 

 

 stamp: Papertrey Ink (City Scene,Happy Trails),Our Daily Bread Designs As You Graduate

ink: Tim Holtz Distress re-inkers Summer Seasonal set (and Spiced Marmalade),Papertrey Ink True Black,Versafine Onyx

paper: Echo Park Here & Now

other: black Copic marker

dies: Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Beachy Graduation

Graduation parties are rolling by...

I created this for my daughter's teammate who loves to surf.


I used colors from the

Color Throwdown #296

The light colors were perfect for the backdrop of one of my favorite scene silhouettes.

It always makes me nostalgic for my Hawaii.


I might have to hit the nearest Lake soon for my beachy fix.





stamps: Verve (Better Together,Happy Graduation Plain Jane,Waltzingmouse My Island, Papertrey Ink Happy Trails
inks: Papertrey Ink (Aqua Mist,Hibiscus Burst,True Black,New Leaf),Versafine Onyx,Memento Ink Angel Pink

She Shall Be Praised

Raising three teen ladies has its challenges and blessings~mostly blessings.  ;)


My main goal has been to encourage their relationship with the Lord.


I know I don't have all the answers...they know that too.


Trust me. ;)

But, God does.

I let the focus be on scripture for the following challenges:

Sweet 'n Sassy Challenge #15:Scripture Spotlight

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #136: Anything Goes

I pulled the grey and pink and simple lines from

Inspired By #118

I pray my girlies always turn to Him...in good times and bad.


As long as they seek His will, they will be in good hands.

stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Precious Poppies, Verve silhouette

paper: Studio Calico Wanderlust,Echo Park Here & Now

ink: Versafine Onyx, Papertrey Ink True Black

Masculine Grad Card

Got some fun new stamps in the mail yesterday and I wanted to play...

The last few hours are at hand for

The ColourQ Challenge#244

I stapled a bit of ribbon for

CAS-ual Fridays: CFC132

Simon Says Fathers Day/Masculine

A Man's World June Diva Dare

I'm glad I stole a little more time to craft again today...it makes my head all swimmy. ;)

Now I can go back to the daily chores of folding clothes and such...talk at ya later.... ;)

stamp: Verve Happy Graduation Plain Jane,Simon Says Stamp Scribble Flowers

ink: Memento Ink (Tangelo,Summer Sky),Papertrey Ink (New Leaf,Enchanted Evening),Versafine Onyx

paper: Georgia Pacific White

other: American Crafts ribbon

Make the Challenges Lovely

I'm so glad summer is here...but the challenges have not stopped.

I don't mean card challenges, either. Those are cool. ;)

No, I mean the challenges of each and every new day.

I LOVE that God gave me the desire to craft and create...it keeps my busy mind occupied.

There are things I can't change, things I can't control...but I CAN try to make beautiful cards.

IN THAT SENSE...challenges motivate me to USE those challenges of life to create lovely wherever and whenever I can.

I'm sure many of you craft for the same reason...it's cheaper than therapy! Ha! ;)

For this pinkish card...

I started with Inspired By #117

and picked the different layers of patterns.

I used the colors from

Color Throwdown #295

Have a LOVELY CRAFTY DAY friends!!!! ;)

stamps: Unity A Lovely Butterfly Day, Technique Tuesday Ordinary Days

ink: WPlus9 Cranberry Crush,Papertrey Ink Autumn Rose

paper: Echo Park Here & Now,Studio Calico Snippets,Little Yellow Bicycle Acorn Hollow,Georgia Pacific White

other:Creative Memories Oval Cutter

Anniversary Journaling Card

I don't often use journaling cards, but I was able to adapt one for this card.

It's for my husband~our anniversary is coming up this month!

oh my gosh look how YOUNG we looked 22 years ago!!! 

goodness.

ok, here is my card

Photo Pocket Page Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Create a paper crafted project (card, gift bag, tag, photo pocket page, traditional layout, home decor item, mini-book cover, etc.) that uses a journaling card.

Thanks to Moxie for motivating my creation a week before this special day!!!

Blessings friends~

stamps: Verve Love Story

other: Basic Grey Hey Boy die-cut cardstock & transparencies

paper: Basic Grey Hey You,Georgia Pacific white

ink: Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores,Memento Rich Cocoa,Tim Holtz Tea Dye

die: Spellbinders Labels 25

~So Glad There is You~

Yay, I had a chance to create for this challenge again!

I used one of my favorite silhouettes to frame multiple sentiments~those teeny ones from Written on Ribbon are perfect fillers.

Inspired By #116

Well, about ready to watch some shows with the family~have a great evening bloggy friends!

stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Together Silhouettes, WPlus9 Written on Ribbon

paper: Echo Park Here and Now,Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill
dies: Our Daily Bread Chickadee, Papertrey Ink Movers & Shakers Spinners die
ink: Versafine Onyx

Hold On

I'm sure between we bloggers there are a million gazillion "I didn't know if I would make it" stories.

Praise God we are here to say, "Hold On".

Amen???!!!!

Oh I love Inspired By's pic so much...esp the green and black...I hope I get another crafty moment to go there.

Instead, I pulled the "sentiment in a holder" look and went running.

Inspired By #116

See that orange strip?

I simply decided to score the double sided paper and tape down rather than trim.

It didn't need the ribbon...but I was feeling fancy. ;)

Have a blessed day and let's encourage each other to hold on, K?

Simon Says: Anything Goes

 Word Art Wednesday Challenge#134:Anything Goes

stamps: Flourishes Always Blooming,Papertrey Ink Friendship Jar Summer Fillers,Lawn Fawn Summertime Jar heart

die: Papertrey Ink Pint Jar

ink: Versafine Onyx,Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores,True Black),Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Teresa Collins Tell Your Story

other: American Crafts ribbon

 

Oh, Man!

I created a masculine-friendly CAS card.

It's for

CAS-ual Fridays:CFC132

Guy card (no kraft) and include a ribbon.

I'm also submitting this to the following challenges~

Simon Says: Anything Goes

 Word Art Wednesday Challenge#134:Anything Goes

Have a beautiful Saturday friends!

stamp: Mama Elephant We Click

paper: Basic Grey Hey You!,Studio Calico Snippets,Georgia Pacific white

ink: Versafine Onyx,Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe,Memento Ink Dandelion

other: American Crafts ribbon

Billboard Birthday

My nephew's birthday prompted me to create this...

Simon Says: Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge#134:Anything Goes

Loving that pointy finger~it really fills in that extra space and gives that something-something.

paper: Studio Calico Wanderlust, Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill white
stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Keep in Touch, Hero Arts Glow Girl
ink: Versafine Onyx
die: Silhouette sign billboard Silhouette Cameo

She Adjusted Her Sails

Graduation announcements have been manifesting in our mailbox lately.


I chose this sentiment for a grad card~and tilty wiltied the panels.

I used the color challenge from Verve for this card.

Yay, it's Friday~it's really FRIDAYYYY!!!! ;)

stamp: Verve (Adjusted Sails,Better Together), Papertrey Ink Meadow Greens
die: Papertrey Ink Meadow Greens,Spellbinders Classic Circles

paper: Authentique Renew,Georgia Pacific white cardstock

other: Want2Scrap pearls

Awesome Day

I got a little daring with some patterns ...I'm going to give this a day to sit and see if I like the card tomorrow before hitting publish~ha! ;)

Good news...I still like it! LOL


I don't know if you feel the same way as a designer...but sometimes I look back at a project and don't care for it as much as when I first made it.


I wrote a lot while earning my English degree ions ago~and the same was true with rough and rougher drafts.


Fresh eyes never hurt...


But, I never regret my creations...better a bad card than no card~it means I'm still truckin! ;)


This one is a bit prettier than my last post~love that I'm using one of those birdies.

ColourQ Challenge #243

Simon Says: Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge#134:Anything Goes



Hope you are squeezing a craftie or two in your week...whether you are pleased with it or not. ;)

stamp: Verve Better Together

ink: Versafine Onyx

die: Papertrey Ink Bubble Talk Die

paper: Georgia Pacific White,Studio Calico Wanderlust,Simple Stories Color Vibe 2

other: Freckled Fawn Wood Chips Birds

The Most Fabulous Birthday

I went all angular and choppy with my card today...I think it could fly for a masculine card, don't you?

I adopted these beautiful colors and hope to use them again in something more, well, pretty. ;)

ColourQ Challenge #243

Guys, I'm about ready to DROP...good grief, these end of the school year activities have me weary near the finish line.


Since we had so many snow days in our area, the kids have a week or so more to go.


BARELY.

MAKING.

IT.

BUT.

WILL.

GET.

THERE.

SOON!

stamp: Verve Better Together

ink: Versafine Onyx

other: circle punch

paper: Bazzill, Georgia Pacific White,Simple Stories Color Vibe 2,Teresa Collins Tell Your Story

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop 2

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop

Check out the lovely inspiration photo~

Today is a beautiful day in our corner of the world....how is it for you?

stamps: Papertrey Ink (Grunge Me,Hello Sunshine,City Scene)

paper: Teresa Collins Tell Your Story,Georgia Pacific cardstock

ink: Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe,Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores, True Black),Versafine Onyx

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop

I toyed with the popular chop block lettering technique I see on mixed media....

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop

I've got one more to share....

stamps: Papertrey Ink (In the Meadow,Year of Flowers: Roses)

die: Papertrey Ink In the Meadow

paper: Teresa Collins Tell Your Story

ink: Versafine Onyx,Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe,Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores (edging on orange strip)

Citrus Scraps

These scrumptious citrus scraps were laying on my craft desk....

The orange panel has a huge hole in it...I figured it could serve as a simple frame for a sentiment panel.

CAS and floral is being featured at 

CASology:Week 96:Flower

We have an unexpected free day today...YESSSSSS!!!!

You know what I'Lllll bE dOiNg.....

hee hee!!!

stamp: Hero Arts Live & Laugh,Papertrey Ink Meadow Greens

ink:Versafine Onyx,Versamark

other: Ranger Super Fine Detailing embossing powder black

paper: Studio Calico Wanderlust,Simple Stories Color Vibe 2