My First Ever Verve Stamps!

I had such a great class last night and really enjoyed myself. I think maybe it was a combination of my not being quite so tired as I have been on some occasions lately and a really great mix of students. We had a lovely group and I sure hope some of them are booked on to my next class. I will have to make sure I prep for class again by getting in an extra nap and early night - I'm sure that helped.

I wanted to share some new goodies that actually came last week but I barely managed to open the package and that was as far as I got until today. I have been meaning to purchase some Verve stamps for a long time now - you know how it is - sometimes you have to be content to drool over something for a while. Well since they were having a bit of a sale in the beginning of October I decided there was never a better time and Mr Postie delivered my package last Friday.

I ordered as many of the little scripture 'plain jane's' as I could because they worked out at under $3 each and I wanted to have some scripture cards close at hand when I need one. These are just small enough to make a super quick square mini card (my fave) but big enough to build up if I want to make a larger card.

I am really pleased with Verve as a consumer. They were super speedy in getting the stamps out to mom, I'm guessing they used the signature blue & brown tissue paper that was wrappede around the stamps and not mom (can recycle that!). They also took the time to write a thank you note on the delivery slip - I love when a company does that, and even included a free 'thanks for your custom' stamp - how cool is that! Add to that the quality of the stamps and they get a 10/10 from me.

Since Vicky and I went to a ladies day at Garland Street Baptist Church last Sunday (had a fabulous day) these stamps may just have to get put to good use on thank you cards. Vicky also mentioned wanting to make small gifts for the gals in her bible study group and again these might be perfect for a set of mini cards, bookmarks, prayer journals etc. I have been checking out the gallery for inspiration. You can check out the stamps and gallery here http://vervestamps.com/gallery/main.php They had a really nice project that was a cube, decorated on each side with a different verse that would make a really neat gift idea too.

I love the styling on some of these stamps with some words highlighted and a mixture of text styles.

I chose Matthew 11:28, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 31:24, Philippians 4:13 - personal favourite, Philippians 4:4 - something we should do in ALL circumstances, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 37:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm 46:10 - a simple verse but again a favourite of mine, and Hebrews 11:1 - 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' which seems real appropriate right now as Sunday's topic was 'Walking by Faith, not by Sight'. I think I missed one? Sure I ordered a dozen. I'm not siftin back through them again!

There were a couple more I wanted to buy but they will have to wait for another day. For now I am thrilled to have such lovely new stamps to make handmade cards sets and other projects for Christian friends and family. I am getting a really nice selection together between PTI, StampinUp! and now Verve!

Well today I went to 'veg out' with my mother for the day and I took along my new stamps just in case I felt able to do some crafting. Surprisingly I had a real productive day and this is what I ended up creating.

I created a super quick card using a series of plain and scalloped squares cut with my ever trusty nestabilities. These cards take minimal effort and time which is exactly what I want when I need to send a card using these scripture stamps. Then while I was playing I decided to try my hand at making a bookmark and came up with these using the same basic process.

I will laminate these and add a nice piece of ribbon to finish them off and make them more practical for repeated use. I can see making a tall slim card either to house one of these as the decoration on the front (that can be removed and used) or to simply tuck one of these inside. I love simple gift giving because it means you can give a gift more often and if it's a gift for encouragement or support then it's especially nice to give them as aften as you can.

I wanted to see if these simple designs would look just as nice in some different colours so I grabbed a few scraps of Cosmo Cricket and made these. In fact all these things were made using scraps.

I just love the colours and designs in this one. While I think this card is nice as it is I could still add a small flower embellishment or button or two if I felt I really wanted to.

I owe mom a BIG thank you for sending these on to me. I'm thinking when I get time I can cut all the elements out and send her everything she needs to make a few cards for herself. Does that sound OK mom?

I was also real pleased that my eldest sister Sherilee joined me crafting in the afternoon and even mother dragged her WI photo scrapbook out and did a little crafting before getting 'pooped' out. It was a really good day.

Mother's Day

Just wanted to share the card I made my mother for last Sunday. It was kinda rushed but she was pleased with it.

I forgot to take a picture of the gift I made her but since it's the second one I've made now I'm sure I'll make a third so I'll post the next one. It may be a class so I might have to wait to share it anyhow.

In case you can't make out the text it says:

Into a precious vessel God pours tenderness and love, an understanding heart, and all the joy a child dreams of. He gives her His compassion and a kindness like no other, then wraps her in a quiet strength and gently calls her mother.

I found the text while searching on my favourite site for sending free Christian e-cards www.dayspring.com

I added a verse of scripture just inside the liner of the card as well. How nice it is to be able to make a card with a verse like this instead of trying to find just the right one in a store.

I had a really nice Mother's Day. Four generations of women in our family were together in church that morning and I got to watch my daughter perform in an impromptu piece of drama as part of the service which was also nice for my mother to see.

We all turned out to watch Kaleb in his first ever march with the Boys Brigade. He's only just joined the youngest group - hence the red shirt and not blue but so far he is enjoying it.

He wasn't too sure what to make of the marching and for the second march I think he was a bit overwhelmed but he did real good.

It's good for kids to have something to be involved in and we hope he sticks with it.

Little 'Faith' Card

Just wanted to post a quickie with this little 'faith' quote card.


I needed a thank you for a Christian friend and this was it. I made it some time ago and I love the simplicity of it which many of you will know doesn't always come easy to me. I'm always tempted to tweak a bit more.

More Valentine's

Well now that the grandbabies Valentine's projects are out of the way I can concentrate on the girls. They may be in their 20's but they still like to get handmade surprises from mum.




I saw this on a Christian website and loved how they used letters from the verse of scripture - John 3:16 - to spell out VALENTINE. I know this picture is quite pale so I hope it comes out ok in the wash (so to speak).

I kept the colours pale pink and girlie because I thought Vicky would like it that way. Again it's a very simple card. I re-created the play on words text on my computer (easy once you know how - and now I do), double mounted the block, added the 'me to you' bear cut from a tag, added some ribbon over a background paper and there you have it!


My inspiration came from these Belgian chocolates I bought for the girls last weekend in Sainsbury's. They already feature the 'me to you' bear so I simply combined this with the text idea. Since one of them is blue I shall do one exactly the same for Jessica in a pale blue colour scheme.

I was annoyed because I couldn't find my silver grey 'me to you' text ribbon for Vicky's but I managed to find the blue for Jess. These can be purchased in any quality card shop alongside the wrap and tags and are great for crafting. I just love to create a 'wrap' for boxes or bars of chocolate - it's such a nice way to give a simple but pretty gift.

TIP: Buy a tag and a card of 'me to you' ribbon and create your own handmade card for a fraction of a purchased one. You'll have plenty of ribbon left over for other projects.

If you buy a sheet of 'paper' and ribbon you can cut the design from scraps of paper so you get a handmade card, tag and still get to wrap your gift to match. Watch this space for a simple gift bag tutorial later this year and you'll be able to make a gift bag from the wrap as well! Gotta love a bargain girlies!!!!!

All I have to do now is finish Jessica's gift and then do one for my darling hubby.

A Higher Love

Valentine's Day will shortly be upon us and while we don't need a special day to tell someone we love them, I wonder how many of us think of the many different kinds of love we each have in our lives?

There is of course a very special love like that of mother and child. There is the love between a husband and wife. And then of course the love of family and friends.

I am blessed enough to know a further kind of love; the one of a Heavenly Father for His precious child. This love is particularly dear to me, not only because of God's sacrifice even though I don't deserve it; but also because my father died a few months before I was born so I never got to know a Father's love growing up.

I saw this recently on the Dayspring website which is my favourite Christian site for e-cards and wanted to share it. It is entitled 'Your Divine Valentine' and can be found here: http://store.dayspring-store.com/yodivapr.html

Your Divine Valentine

A Valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe.

The Lord your God....will rejoice over you with gladness, He will keep you quiet with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

A Valentine may give you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all, Jesus.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1

A Valentine may take you out to dinner, but God has invited you to the most amazing feast ever given.

Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Revelation 19:9

A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

A Valentine may be far away, but God is always with you.

I am with you always. Matthew 28:20

A Valentine may give you something, but God has given you everything.

God gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born & will love you for all eternity!

Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love...with loving-kindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3

Written by: Hollie Gerth

Stamper's Survival Kit

Found this on a cool site over the weekend and wanted to share it. There are lots of other cool things so check the site out at http://www.kimstamps.com/skits.htm

Stamper's Survival Kit

Inkpad
So we can leave our stamp on the world, ever changing and colourful
Brayer
To spread joy and colour
Corner Rounder
Everyone needs to round their corner now and then and not be a square
Hole Punch
If it can't be done, you can prove that it can, thereby punching a hole in the theory of impossibility
Eraser
To erase all the bad things that can happen during the course of a stamping day
Cardstock
The perfect medium for expressing ourselves and our individuality
Glitter
To put a little sparkle in your life
Glue
To hold it all together
Mask
To cover up the stuff you don't want to see
Catalogue
So you can always have a dream
Stamps
To leave an image, no matter how small of who we are, what we like, and what we can't seem to live without

Definition of the Christmas Wreath

This is my first attempt at making a classy but simple kinda card for some of my faith sharing friends for Christmas. I knew as soon as I saw this verse that I had the perfect stamps to build up a wreath. I could've used my See D morsels but instead I chose to use my 'Holiday Garden' set of tapestry stamps - check them out at http://www.rubberstamptapestry.com/

I printed the text using my computer and then drew a faint pencil circle in the middle. Next I stamped the individual elements of the wreath building it up until I was happy with the result. These stamps come with instructions of how to build up the design. I used a 'stamp off' technique to create a faint image of a wreath and to allow the text to show through.

Stamp Off Tip:

1. ink up stamp

2. stamp lightly on scrap paper to remove some of the ink

3. stamp lightly on project for a lighter image

When I have used these stamps in the past my text is usually in the middle with the images circling it but I liked this idea so much I decided to see what other stamps might work.

I chose a series of small snowflake stamps and used blues, lilacs and greys for this one. The blue and red background cardstock is pearlised with pretty designs that just don't show in these photographs.

It took quite a while to find a font that would allow me to use this VERY LONG verse in limited space. I think this font is called 'nuptial' - all I know is I really like it and have used it several times before.

I found the verse on the Dayspring website which is a favourite of mine for sending Christian e-cards to friends and family. They have some of the nicest e-cards and even videos too. Check them out at http://www.dayspring.com/

This is the verse in full

Every Christmas wreath is more than just a decoration.... it's a special reminder of Jesus, the reason for our celebration.

The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring, a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and King.

The Christmas wreath is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter in.... a reminder of Christ's invitation for all to come to him.

The middle of a Christmas wreath is a bare and empty space, a reminder of what life would be without Christ's love & grace.

So each time you see a Christmas wreath hanging from a door, may your heart rejoice in the One that Christmas is truly for!

Holley Gerth

One thing to mention if you do decide to use this (or any) versequote. You should always add the author if you know it so credit goes where it is due.

Beautiful Women

I got this sent to me via e-mail today from my sister-in-law Debbie. It is beautiful women month so this beautiful woman sent it to me (aaaaahh she thinks I'm beautiful too). It was written by Audrey Hepburn and later read out at her funeral - I think she was an amazing actress and and an even more amazing humanitarian who headed many charities and did a great deal of good in her time here on earth. Just wanted to share it with anyone who cares to read it.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored,
renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
never throw out anyone.