Organizational {Friday} Faber-Castell Products & Winners Announced!

First, thank you all for your sweet comments on my blog throughout the week as we have held this drawing for Faber-Castell {Design Memory Craft} products! I truly appreciate all of you!  Random.org has selected our two winners, and here are the winning numbers:

And those two numbers belong to:

(#40) Nancy Curtis said...
The effects you got using these products are amazing. I have been wondering how these products work-thanks for letting me see what they can do! I would love to try them!!!
APRIL 25, 2011 2:18 PM

(#53) Susan said...
I tried the gelatos and big brush pens at CHA and LOVED them! Just waiting for them to hit the stores. I love how versatile they are and that you can stamp with them as well as using them for coloring or doing backgrounds.
Susan
APRIL 25, 2011 7:38 PM

Congrats to you both! Please e-mail me so that Chelsy can get your products to you!  Now let's look at how I organized these goodies. It's nothing earth shattering or new but works very well for me.

First, I purchased the smallest SnapWare container that Joann's had. The trays measure 6 x 6.6 x 5.2 inches. It's the perfect size for these products, and because it's small, it's super easy to store or take along with you!

The top tray contains my Gelatos. The middle tray contains the markers, and the bottom contains my paint brushes and other goodies. You will also notice in the top tray that I kept the back off of the packaging. I wanted it to refer to but I may eventually throw it out. :)

So, super easy, neat, and small! Thanks again for stopping by and playing with me. I truly appreciate all of you! Have a blessed weekend ahead!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #72

As I watched the horrific storms on the news last night and then have heard about the tremendous loss of life this morning, it made me wonder:

**Share about a storm in your life and how God helped you through it.

Matthew 8:23-25 "Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'"

I pray that in any storm, whether a literal storm or a difficult time in your life, that you will call out and cling to our precious Lord in all things. And remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. Have a blessed weekend, and may God cover the storm-torn areas with His love, peace, and comfort! Blessings,

Week 4 {ODBDLYLS4} Scrapbook Challenge

Can you believe April is almost over? With the end of the month approaching, it means that this is the last week to play along with our April Challenge.  You can see all details regarding April's challenge on the ODBD blog here. I hope you are able to get a page submitted and play along. :) This is your inspiration for this month's challenge:

You may use the colors, the flowers, the butterflies, etc. as your inspiration! Whatever strikes your fancy!

For my 8x8 page, I used the orange and the flowers as inspiration to scrap our little precious 3 year old Papillon.  He thinks he is the prince of the house even over our two larger dogs! I then used two sets from Our Daily Bread Designs:  Tulip Tag Set (for the stamped scripture) and Bird Border and Corners (stamped at the top for a decorative border).  The Zva Creative pearl flourishes I added for fun, and you can find them in the ODBD store here. :)

Papers:  Crate Paper Restoration, Paper Trey Ink cs
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps:  Tulip Tag Set (scripture), Bird Borders and Corners (decorative border)
Stamp Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink vintage photo, Ranger clear ep
Embellishments: Memory Box lace circle and fancy pocket dies, cork from Michael's, Recollections leaves, Tim Holtz on the fence die, Distress Stickles peeled paint, Smooch pumpkin, Zva Creative pearls, Making Memories Noteworth chip alpha, Basic Grey buttons, sewing machine

Chrissy also played along this week. To see her layout, look here!  :)

Now, it is your turn to play! To see all of the guidelines for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate, please see this post here. The challenge runs from through Saturday, April 30th, at 6 pm EST. You have all month to enter. I hope you will play along this month. Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Faber-Castell {Design Memory Craft} Come in to Win!

A few weeks ago, I saw an ad in a magazine for the new Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft products (Gelatos, PITT Artist Pens, watercolor pencils, metallic pens, etc.). Well, I thought to myself, "I really want to try these. They look SO fun!" Well, not 4 hours later, I got an e-mail from Chelsy asking me if I would be interested in trying these products and sharing them on my blog and having a give-away! Wow, I get to try them AND my subscribers have a chance to win? Well, I couldn't turn that down! I was SO, SO excited. The products came, and I have been playing! Oh are they fun! Let's look at what I used, what I created, and how you can win some of this fun stuff.

The Layout
I decided to create an 8x8 layout using the Gelatos and PITT Artist Pens. To begin, I started with the white Gelatos, my pink Bazzill cardstock, and my water bottle. I spritzed the Memory Box Vintage Record Sheet {G1712} stamp with water, and then I colored it with the white Gelatos and stamped it onto the cardstock:

Next, I splashed the orange Gelatos on the cardstock by rubbing some Gelatos onto my acrylic block, spritzing it with water, then getting it all on my paintbrush to "flick" onto the paper.  There are subtle drops of orange on the layout. A darker color of course would give a bolder affect.

Then I used the PITT big brush pen to ink up the Memory Box Gorgeous Mini Bloom {B1761} stamp. Because the color would have been too bold, I stamped on a scrap piece of paper first then stamped again onto my cardstock. I wanted the brown color just not so bold. :) Oh, and these markers color fabulously onto stamps! WOW!

I also used that same stamp and the larger Memory Box Gorgeous Bloom {E1760} stamp to create the flower in the bottom left-hand corner of the layout. I used the full color from the brush pen for the flower then I added some doodle lines to the pink cardstock to "define the space." And here is how my 8x8 layout turned out. The photo is of the “Valentine Bunch” my husband brought home to me and our identical triplets for Valentine’s Day this year. The colors represent each of our favorite colors. Gotta love that man!

Papers: Memory Box Pixie, Bazzill cs
Faber-Castell: PITT big brush pen nougat, Gelatos white and orange
Stamps: Memory Box Vintage Record Sheet G1712, Memory Box Gorgeous Mini Bloom B1761, Memory Box Gorgeous Bloom E1760
Embellishments: Memory Box pearl lace and classic scallop dies, Memory Box white pearl stickers, Making Memories tiny alpha stickers, Basic Grey piper chip alpha, Kaiser Craft pearl (large)

Don't these products look fun? They are so easy and quick to use, easy clean up, and lots of possibilities! Both of these products can be used directly on your stamps and many other ways too. I can't wait to play more!

Here is What You Can Win
Two blessed random subscribers will win both of the described items below! All you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog sharing whether you have used the product, how you like them, if you would like to try them, if you like the possibilities, anything about these great products!!! Your comment must be left here by this Thursday, April 28th, at 11:59 p.m. Central! I will pick two random winners and post the names on Friday, April 29th, along with photos of how I have decided to store these fun products!

Here is a description of what two lucky winners will receive:  Mix and Match from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft makes designing with color simple. Choose a color set that inspires you. Choose a medium. Mix & Match as you create. Color coordinated palettes give you the freedom to design your project knowing the colors will work beautifully together. Perfect for all your design, memory and craft projects.

Mixed Media Sampler Sets in Red, Yellow, Blue and Green encourage you to spread your creative wings and experiment with mixing mediums! Each set includes a Stamper’s Big Brush, Gelato Metallic Stick, Pastel Pencil and Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor pencil. Experiment with mixing colors and mediums or layer different mediums to create depth and details. Or try using your rubber stamps with the different mediums to see which effects you like the most.

Color Gelatos are creamy sticks infused with brilliant color. The color slides easily onto papers and can then be dissolved with water to create watercolor effects, or left to dry for vibrant bursts of color. Try stamping with the Color Gelatos, or apply a field of color and use a stamp to remove the color. Color Gelatos work wonderfully on flocked papers and embellishments too! Color Gelatos are acid-free and odorless.

I hope you have enjoyed today's post! And a huge thanks to Faber-Castell for allowing me to play and give y'all a chance to win! It has been FUN! Be sure to leave your comment here by Thursday! I can't wait to see who our two blessed winners will be! Have a wonderful week ahead!!

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #9}, Identity

Challenge Word #9: Identity

How do people “know” you? Are you known as the woman that always wears the right clothes, make-up, and hairstyles? Are you known for the amount of education you have? Or are you known for the amazing scrapbook pages and cards you create and the number of times you have been published? Or maybe you are known for having a foul mouth, driving recklessly, or always yelling at your kids? What would your closest friends and family say? Would they identify you as knowing, loving, and living for the Lord or would they identify you in some other way?

If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are called to clothe yourself in Christ. Galatians 3:26-27 says “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” He is not concerned about the gorgeous clothes you may wear or your make-up or latest hairstyle. He is concerned about your heart and that your identity is in Him. Romans 13:14 says “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

When our identity is in Christ, we gain so much such as—eternal life, joy, peace, strength, His love to share with others, wisdom, contentment, safety, hope, perseverance, and not to mention we glorify Him! Romans 5:1-8 says “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

And if our identity is in Christ then who can be against us? Romans 8:31 says “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” How amazing is that? Christ died so that we would be saved and that our identity would be in Him. What a glorious truth!

For my page today, I used the fun Prima papers from the ODBD store and the new ODBD Scripture Collection 6 was perfect! There were so many scriptures that could apply to those whose identity is in Christ. I chose to use 3 stamps from this set—

Nehemiah 8:10b “. . . for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

Papers: Prima Reflections, Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 6
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink broken china mixed with faded jeans
Embellishments: Memory Box double ticket die, May Arts scalloped trim, Lily Bee chipboard button stickers, Basic Grey Piper chipboard alpha, sewing machine

As you share your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. I pray that as you celebrate Our Risen Lord today that you will remember that our identity is to be in Him and nothing else. Blessing, and have a joyous Easter!

Organizational {Friday} Dies, Dies, & More Dies!

If you haven't noticed, it seems most companies are making die cuts now. Organizing them can take a while and cost a lot. I have had a pile of Paper Trey Ink (PTI) dies in a drawer for some time because I didn't know how I was going to organize them. I didn't want to buy MORE Quickutz folders. I use those for my Spellbinders dies. You can see that post here. Anyway, that can get expensive especially since I was going to have to buy many more folders for the new dies from other companies.  For the time being, I kept the PTI dies in their ziploc bags in a drawer with the die name on the bag. Worked for a while until Our Daily Bread Designs and now Memory Box Co. have also come out with their own dies! Now I was asking myself how do I control the die cut madness. :) I LOVE dies but what should I do with them all?

Well, I ended up using the 3-ring binder method that I am sure you have seen zillions of people use. I think I am really, really going to like this for dies other than Spellbinders. If I like this and I find it holds more than the Quickutz folders, I may convert my Spellbinders to this also. Not sure yet. :)  Anyway, let's look at what I did which I am sure it is close to most other 3-ring binder methods out there. :)

Supplies
Here is what I used:

**Keep Filing ring binders (letter size, 8 1/2" x 11")
**Roll of 1/2" magnets
**Sturdy black cardstock
**Page protectors (heavy weight)
**Labeler

I really like the black cardstock because you don't see the magnets. I think a lot of other people use white cardstock, and I personally like the magnet to be "hidden." :)

Putting it Together
First, I separated my dies by manufacturer then category. The categories I am currently using are:

**Animals
**Banners
**Borders
**Circles
**Labels and Pockets
**Garden

Next I put two magnet strips on each piece of black cardstock and placed the dies for each category on a separate sheet. Then I put a label with the die name next to the die on the black cardstock.  Once the sheet was done, I put it down in the page protector. Notice how the magnets are hard to see on the black cardstock. Love that!

I also used the new Memory Box Double Ticket die to create my category tags at the top of each page.  I used the smallest ticket on the die and scored it at 3/4". Works perfectly!

I also typed up a die inventory in Excel since I know the names of a lot of the dies. It will be easier to look at the inventory and look up the page number where the die is so that I can quickly find what I am looking for. This inventory can be sorted by die name, manufacturer, category, or page. I printed it on white cardstock and placed in the front of my binder.

In creating this new binder, I have noticed that 5 pages in the binder take up a LOT LESS room than 5 Quickutz binders. I think I may be making a major switch this summer! Oh my!

Well, enjoy your Friday, and I pray this is helpful!  And for those of you interested, you can see all of the newest Memory Box dies just released by looking here. To see all of the Our Daily Bread Designs dies, look here. Blessings to each of you!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #71

During this week of Holy Week, I thought it would be good to journal about the services you attend. So please share:

**What services do you usually attend during Holy Week and Easter (Maundy Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Sunrise Service, etc.)? 

Matthew 26:17-18 "On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?' He replied, 'Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'"

I pray that your Easter is blessed and that God glorifies Himself through you to all you come in contact with! And remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. Have a blessed Easter!!

Tuesday's {Tip} Got Spica?

Recently I got a few Copic Spica pens at 50% off. I noticed in my wonderful Copic swatch book that there is not a space for Spicas. So, my easy tip for you today is that if you have Copic Spica Glitter Pens, keep the swatches on the first inside page of the Copic swatch book. You can see what I did with mine here:

You know me, I love my swatches for easy color matching. And now all my Copic swatches are still in one place! Have a blessed Tuesday!

{Friday's Swap} ODBD & Really Reasonable Ribbon!

Today, we have some real fun for you! Most of you know how much I LOVE ribbon and lace! You have seen my many posts on organizing these fun embellishments. Well, today we are sharing a design team swap and challenge between Our Daily Bread Designs and Really Reasonable Ribbon (RRR) with a chance to win one of two gift certificates--either to ODBD or RRR!!!! The challenge is titled Violet, Lilacs, and Plums, Oh My! To see all of the challenge details, please see the RRR post here. :)

First, I must admit purple is not my favorite color. I think most of you know that. My precious daughter was not happy as I rambled on about designing with purple since purple IS her favorite color. :) We assigned her that color when she was born since she was the first out of the triplets, and she still LOVES purple! Anyway, I loved the scalloped purple trim they sent SO much that I even went back and bought all of the colors. You can see how I used it around the scripture verse. I also love lace so it was super easy to add that little beauty to my card. I think after using all of this purple that it might grown on me as I really had fun with this card!

Papers: SEI Couture, Memory Box wisteria notecard, Paper Trey Ink cs (white), Bazzill
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 6
Stamp Ink: SU Elegant Eggplant
Embellishments: May Arts scalloped trim, Abigail white crochet lace, Recollections leaves, Maya Road crochet blossom, Spellbinders/Heartfelt Creations decorative butterfly border die, sewing machine

To see what amazing thing all of the other designers created, be sure to visit the Really Reasonable Ribbons Ramblings Blog. You won't want to miss the other amazing creations, the challenge details, and your chance to win! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to have an organizational post for you next Friday! Enjoy your weekend!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #70

One of Bible Study Fellowship's desires is to reach the next generation. Jeremy Camp also has a song called "Speaking Louder Than Before" which is about the same thing. So today, share:

*How are you reaching the younger generation and sharing Christ with them?

Psalm 102:18 "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD."

I certainly pray that future generations come to know the Lord, praise Him, and live their lives fully for Him. To find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. Have a blessed Thursday!!

Week 2 {ODBDLYLS4} Scrapbook Challenge

So, did you see our newest ODBD Let Your Light Shine Scrapbook challenge for April? Chrissy posted about it last week on the ODBD blog here. I hope you are planning to play along with us this month. :) We have an inspiration challenge for you that is super fun! Here is your inspiration:

You may use the colors, the flowers, the butterflies, etc. as your inspiration! Whatever strikes your fancy!

For my 8x8 page, I used the butterfly as inspiration as we just had a beautiful little guy in our yard in March! So, it was perfect for my page today. I also used three sets from Our Daily Bread Designs: Scripture Collection 7 (for the stamped scripture), Bird Border and Corners (stamped on bracket and photo corner), and Faith (butterflies stamped on cork). I also used the gorgeous Prima papers from the ODBD store! I believe Prima papers are going to become my favorite! They are not only gorgeous but there are 48 pages per pack! More than any other 6x6 pack I have used!

Papers: Prima Madeline, Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 7, Our Daily Bread Designs Bird Border & Corners (stamped on bracket & photo corner), Our Daily Bread Designs Faith (butterflies stamped on cork)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain, VersaMark, Memento bamboo leaves, Ranger clear ep
Embellishments: Glimmer Mist lemon zest, misc. measuring tape twill, Memory Box 24K pearls, cork from Michael's, Deluxe Designs chipboard bracket & photo corner, Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha

Now, it is your turn to play! To see all of the guidelines for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate, please see this post here. The challenge runs from through Saturday, April 30th, at 6 pm EST. You have all month to enter. I hope you will play along this month. Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #8), Hands

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail about an old woman looking at her hands and how they have served her through the years. Then at the end she states how “it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when He leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.” It really was beautiful and made me think about His hands. So, today I thought we would look at:

Challenge Word #8: Hands

Though God Himself is invisible to us and His hands are unseen, we certainly can see the daily effect that His hands have on our lives. Here are a few words God gave me about His hands as I dwelled on this. I encourage you to look at each scripture in your Bible as I have paraphrased the verses here.

His hands:

• Create (Deuteronomy 32:39—He brings to life and no one can release us from His hands.)

• Discipline (Hebrews 12:10—He disciplines for our good.)

• Give/Provide (1 Chronicles 29:16—Everything comes from His hand and it all belongs to Him.)

• Guide (Psalm 25:5—He guides in His truth & teaches us.)

• Heal (1 Peter 2:24—By His wounds we are healed.)

• Hold (Isaiah 41:13—He holds us and says ‘do not fear.’)

• Love (Romans 8:39—Nothing can separate us from His love.)

• Mighty (Psalm 118:16—His hand is lifted high and does mighty things.)

• Mold (Isaiah 64:8—He is the potter, we are the clay, and we are the work of His hands.)

• Protect (Ezra 8:31—His hand is on us and protects us.)

Notice how I did not have the word ‘serve’ on this list. Yes, hands are used to serve; however, He does not use His hands to serve us. Acts 17:24-25 says “He God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." He gives it all to us, and He needs nothing from us. However, we are to use our hands to serve Him. Luke 1:73-75 says “the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”

How are you using your hands to serve Him? Can you see the hand of God upon you each day? If yes, will you take a moment to thank God for how His hands are upon your daily—how He saved you, how He guides you, disciplines you, heals you, loves you, protects you, etc.? And if not, will you ask God to show you how His hands are upon you each day?

For my page today, I used two stamps sets from Our Daily Bread Designs--God's Hands and He Will Rise. They were perfect for today's word!

Papers: Webster's Pages Collection Pack (Magical Wishes & A Sweet Life), Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs God's Hands, Our Daily Bread Designs He Will Rise
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain, Memento rich cocoa
Embellishments: May Arts scalloped trim, Kaiser Craft pearls, Spellbinders creative page tabs & lattice rectangles, Rose Moka alpha stickers, Basic Grey Piper chipboard alpha

And today, I leave you with the chorus from one of my favorite hymns:

He Leadeth Me (Chorus)

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
by His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
for by His hand He leadeth me.

I pray that you are His faithful follower, and that you see His mighty hand upon you! As you share your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. Thank you, Father, for your hands that not only created us but give us life eternal and guide each and every day. Have a blessed week!

{Friday's Swap} Video & Chance to Win!

Today and next Friday are going to be a little different. Both of the teams I design for have teamed up with other teams and have done a product swap. Both posts are being done on Fridays (today and next week). So, I hope you don't mind this little "interruption" from the normal. :)

Today, Memory Box Co. and Creative Imaginations have teamed up. They are using awesome Memory Box products, and we are using the CI Twinkling H2Os! Gracious, I forgot how much I LOVE those paints. I have a drawer full you can see that organizational post here but I haven't used them in a while until this swap challenge. I need to pull those beauties back out more often!

Anyway, here is a card I created with Memory Box and five different Twinkling H2Os.

If you visit this blog post, you can see a video tutorial I did along with step-by-step instructions. And if you leave a comment on that same post, you will be entered to win some Twinkling H2Os. :) There will be two other chances to win today too. Just look for two more posts being posted to that same blog later today and leave them a comment. I hope y'all win some goodies! I always like when my blog readers win something! Enjoy, and have a blessed Friday!