Hosanna

The primitive rendering of the cross image is a stark reminder of what our Lord willingly endured for us . . .

I wanted the cross to be elevated, but because the cross pieces are so narrow, even my tiniest pop dots would have shown.  So I backed the cardstock with double-sided tape and then die cut the cross pieces.  After peeling off the release paper, I added lengths of dark brown jute cording which, happily, stuck firmly to the tape.  This gave me just the height I needed for the cross to stand out from the fern background.  Best of all, the cording doesn’t show . . .

~ A most blessed Easter to each and every one ~

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Marcos Jute, Recollections 

#110 Dark Green, The Paper Cut Orion: Bronze       

Stamps:       Rollagraph Wheel Texture

Inks:             Ancient Page Pine, Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            InLoveArts Simple Cross, Hero Palm Fancy, Nellie’s 

Straight Dotted Oval         

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

He Is Risen!

This card was fun to do, mainly because one idea just easily led to another until I eventually realized the card was done . . .

 . . . it took awhile as there was lots of die cutting – but the journey was so pleasant I simply went along for the ride.

The Pussy Willows alongside the cross are popular Easter imagery in the Orthodox Christian religion.  That is because you can’t kill them.  No matter what you do to eradicate them, they always come back.  What a lovely reminder of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . . .

            May all of my readers have a most blessed and joyous Easter!

Cardstock:   Marcos Wave Cover Slate Blue/Army Green, Jute      

Stamps:       Our Daily Bread Happy Resurrection Day: “He is Risen”

Inks:             Encore Gold, Gina K Charcoal Brown

Waterclrs:    Zig Clean Color Wine Red, Olive Green

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            TEMU Wood Grain Nesting Rectangle Frame, Flowers, 

InLoveArts The Crucifix and Heart (not used), Creative

Expressions Catkin Stems, Gina Marie Stitched

Rounded Squares

Christ Is Risen

The most important event in the universe and I always wish I could do more to show the joy . . .

The background has a few smudges and some torn edges to suggest aging.  The palm fronds show life while the hymn speaks the truest words of all time:

                    Christ the Lord Has Risen Today! 

 May your lives be filled with His glory . . .

 Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Eames White, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Vellum, Stampin Up Lucky Limeade       

Stamps:       Brutus Monroe Watercolor Background, Our Daily Bread

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, Craft Smart Cross

Inks:             Gina K Amalgam Black, ColorBox Gold, Distress

Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Hero Palm Fancy Die, Gina Marie Peekaboo Square            

Joy

Some Fun Flock adds a realistically soft and fuzzy look to the pussy willow background . . .

Pussy willows are a very popular plant that is traditional to use at Easter time.  Why?  Because, as with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you can’t really kill it.  This sturdy plant is pretty much eternal.

          To all who celebrate, may your Easter be a very blessed one!

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Carnival Cover Red, Scrap Brown         

Stamps:        Our Daily Bread Happy Spring Set, Judith Dots

Inks:               Gina K Charcoal Brown

Colorants:    Prisma White, Crimson Red, Dark Brown

Dies:              Spellbinders Crosses Two, Goodcutter Stitched

Rectangles, Avery Elle Peace, Love, Joy set: “Joy”               

Doo Dads:    Stampendous Fun Flock Cotton Ball White        

There Find Him

I tried a couple of different things for my Easter cards this year . . .

 

 . . . my stash of handmade papers fills two drawers and it’s time to mow it down.  So I used a lot of it for my card bases and had fun with a variety of colors and textures.  I also thought it would be neat to cut the base to make an almost square card.  I’ll be mailing these in regular A2 envelopes in order to avoid extra postage.

The sentiment was stamped on matching pieces and because of the MISTI, I was easily able to do the repeat stamping that textured papers always require.

The heart die cut may confuse viewers into thinking I got mixed up with Valentine’s Day.  But it was the sentiment that drove the idea to use the heart.  In case the photo isn’t clear, here’s what it says: 

And He departed

From our sight

That we might return

To our heart

And there find Him

 May you find Him in your hearts as well . . . a most blessed Easter to all!

 

Cardstock:   Various handmade papers, Mohawk Carnival Cover

Red, Neenah Quest Ivory, Scraps Gold

Stamps:       Lizzie Anne “There Find Him”

Inks:             Hero Black

Dies:            Memory Box Shaker Heart, Spellbinders Crosses Two,

Classic Rectangles Small            

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

Doo Dads:    VIVA Paper Pen Gold

Joy

This Filigree Egg die was so beautiful that I had to have it - and on sale at less than half price, it was well worth the plunge . . . 

 . . . I saw a golden opportunity to use up some of my stash of designer papers so I went for it.  The composition was very simple, and for embellishments, a few pearls, sequins, and some glitter glue completed this year's observance of the greatest event ever to take place in the universe.  May each of you have a most blessed Easter . . .

 

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut White Matte Coate, Strathmore Pastelle

                     Bright White, Metallic Gold, Assorted Designer papers     

Dies:            Kat Scrappiness Large Filigree Egg, Elizabeth Craft

                     Stitched Rounded Rectangles, Avery Elle Peace, Love,

                     and Joy set: “Joy”                    

Doo Dads:    Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold, pearls, sequins Gold,

                     Stickles Gold  

Rejoice

Thanks to the Corona virus, Easter is going to be a very different celebration this year.  Because of sites like Zoom and Facebook, we will be attending services online.  I am grateful we have the electronic opportunity to do this.  Meanwhile, in spite of this dreaded virus, we have vast reasons to Rejoice . . .

Christ is Risen - Glorify Him!  I wish for each of you a very blessed Easter . . .

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine Ivory, Generic Metallic Gold,

                     American Crafts: Assorted Colors, Generic Gold           

Stamps:       Our Daily Bread Christ the “Lord is Risen Today”,

                     The Artful Stamper “Rejoice”

Inks:             Hero Black, Encore Gold, Distress Black Soot

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Rectangle Frame; GOTD Flourish,

                     Elizabeth Crafts Katie Label Accordion (oval frame)                   

Doo Dads:    Sparkle & Sprinkle glitter Fantasy Gold  

I Am the Way

Time was getting short and I wanted to use this image of the empty tomb, as it speaks so eloquently of the foundation of our faith . . .

However, there was no time to individually color the stones, so I opted for a smooshed and mottled background that I hoped would give the same aged impression.  The folded napkin was inked with a white marker in order to emphasize its traditional significance:  when one leaves a folded napkin at table after a meal, it means that they intend to come back.  

Blessed be our Lord and Savior who suffered so that we might have eternal life in His presence . . .

To all who celebrate, I wish you a wonderfully blessed Easter . . .

Cardstock:   Papers by Catherine White, Strathmore #90 Watercolor

                     paper          

Stamps:       Purple Daisy Empty Tomb, Stamp Magic “I am the Way…”

Inks:             Hero Black, Distress Pumice Stone, Picked Raspberry,

                     Twisted Citron, Uni Posca paint marker White

Dies:            Spellbinders A2 Distressed Edges                      

Christ Is Risen

Blue Ribbon Award #2

This was our Easter card for this year . . .

It was not a favorite of mine, but my trusted and highly artistically evolved friend Carol loved it.  So this is a second look at it . . .

Cardstock:   Neenah Conservation White, Generic Dark Green,

                        Dull Gold

Stamps:       Our Daily Bread Christ the Lord is Risen Today,

                        Starving Artistamps Concentric Sun

Inks:             VersaFine Onyx Black, ColorBox Gold

Colorants:    D’uva Erasable Watercolor Cardinal Red, Lemon Yellow

Emb Powder:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Cheery Lynn Cross Set, Memory Box Arboscello Tree,

                        Verve Hope Blooms                      

Christ is Risen

It has been an interesting late Winter for us:  I slipped on unsalted ice and broke an ankle in three places.  My husband has had medical issues of his own, brought about by horrible side effects from the drug Lyrica.  He's in a nursing home getting physical therapy while the drug leaves his system.  Cards and holidays were therefore not uppermost in my mind.  But he's doing better and as such, I was ready to start creating again.  Two days before Palm Sunday, I realized I needed to get going on some sort of very simple layout . . .

I'm hoping it suggests the sun rising behind the stark reminder of the suffering that was freely borne by the true Light of the World.  He lives:  may all come to know Him in love and abundance.  A very blessed Easter to each of you!

Cardstock:   Neenah Conservation White, Generic Dark Green, Dull Gold

Stamps:       Our Daily Bread Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Starving

                         Artistamps Concentric Sun

Inks:             VersaFine Onyx Black, ColorBox Gold

Colorants:    D’uva Erasable Watercolor Cardinal Red, Lemon Yellow

Emb Powder:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Cheery Lynn Cross Set, Memory Box Arboscello Tree,

                        Verve Hope Blooms                      

He is Risen

With a To-Do list that threatens to strangle me, I absolutely had  to acknowledge the most important event on the planet as simply as possible this year.  Still, I found several ways to throw in some extra steps - as always . . .

 . . . three die cuts, three sessions with heat embossing, coloring the trim and sash on the angel's robe, coloring his face, hands and feet, and water coloring his wings with silver watercolor.

But Easter is the single most important event ever and nothing will ever top this glorious proof of God's endless love for us.  Christ is Risen - Glorify Him!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Crimson, Strathmore Soft White, Kids Series Paint Pad

Stamps:        Eureka Messenger Angel, Stacey Stamps Distressed Frame,

                           typed text  “He is . . . risen” – Luke 24:6      

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Colorants:    Bic Mark-It Prairie Berry, Copic E000 Pale Fruit Pink

Watercolors:   Gansai Tambi Silver

Emb Powder:   WOW Clear Matte Dull

Dies:              Mama Elephant Peek A Frame, Tim Holtz Labels                     

Blessed Easter Morn

While the cross is the symbol that is most commonly associated with the Christian faith, it is actually the empty tomb that defines us . . .

 . . . without that empty cave, Christianity would never have grown to fill every corner of the planet.  Under increasing persecution – even in America – Christians need to remember to be of good cheer, for He has indeed overcome the world.

Cardstock:   Marcos #110 Jute, Gina K’s Charcoal Brown

Stamps:        B&J’s Art Stamps Cave, Stamp Zia Quilt Stitches, Studio

                           G “Blessed Easter morn . . .”

Inks:               Gina K’s Charcoal Brown, ColorBox Gold

Emb Powder:   WOW Clear Matte Dull, Ranger Gold

Dies:              Hero Palm Fancy, Spellbinders Crosses Two

Hope, Love, Peace, Joy

Blue Ribbon Winner #8:

The text pieces have been rearranged from the original image . . .

. . . by cutting them out and extending them beyond the border, they mimic the cross and help add dimension, which is always a worthy objective in my book!

Cardstock:   Generic textured Green, Beckett Iceberg, Bazzill White, Raven

Stamps:        The Stamp Barn Tulip Cross, Inkadinkado Leafy Cross

Inks:               ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Imaginations punch Fern, Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles

Watercolors:   Twinkling H2O’s Sea Glass, Mallard Green

Doo Dads:    Gelly Roll pen Clear Star

I Am The Way

There is no greater event in the history of the universe.  He is risen indeed . . .

                                        

                         glorify Him!

I was hoping that the shape of the text layer would suggest a crown.  Having a nail head gem over it seemed especially appropriate for this card . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Pauly Poo, The Paper Cut Watercolor paper

Stamps:        Art Impressions Wispy Background, Stamp Magic

                           “I am the Way”, The Artful Stamper Cross Silhouette

Inks:               Kaleidacolor Calypso, ColorBox Black, Distress Wild Honey

Emb Powder:   WOW Black Puff, Ranger Super Fine Clear

Dies:              Lil Inkers Stitched Mats Rectangles, DieNamics Accent It:

                           Labels and Tags

Doo Dads:    Gold nailhead  gem

I Am the Way

This layout was supposed to turn out very differently and I remain unsure as to what exactly happened along the way . . .    

                   

Things started off well enough:  I found a fabric-flowered wisteria tree next to the dumpster down the street and dragged it home.  Those lovely purple flowers and green leaves had my name on all of them and I am now well supplied with fabric foliage into the next millennium.

But my best attempts at using them went south, regardless of how well the design worked in my head.  So be it:  maybe my next attempt with this purple windfall will turn out to be more like what I originally had in mind. 

Meanwhile, the message of this most blessed day of the year overrides all other concerns . . . indeed He has Risen!

Cardstock:   Ponderosa Pine, Neenah Solar White

Stamps:         Stamp Magic “I am the way . . .”, Inkadinkado Pebble
                          Background

Inks:               Encore Silver, VersaCraft Peony Purple

Emb Powder:          B’Muse Deep Indigo

Dies/Punches:        Spellbinders Crosses Two, EK Rectangle Tag, Flower

                                         punches

Doo Dads       Fabric Flowers, Purple brad

Christ is Risen

Unquestionably, the most blessed day of the entire year . . .

 

 . . . Christ has risen!  Glorify Him!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Julep, Beckett Iceberg
Stamps:       Stampendous Palm Fronds, Easter Cross
Inks:             Ancient Page Pine, ColorBox Black
Emb Powder:         Judikins Detail Black
Emb Folder: Cheery Lynn Desert Floor
Dies/Punches:       1/8” corner rounder
Doo Dads:    Pearl Pen Ice White

Alleluia!

While scrounging around Michael’s one day, I came across a roll of foiled florist’s paper used to wrap flower pots for festive occasions.  It was so beautiful that I bought it without the slightest inkling of what I was going to do with it.  My Muse was kind to me one day and I got the idea to wrap the foil around a layer of cardstock for stability and then use it as a background.  The foil is textured which really adds to the shimmer.  Duplicating the colors for the word stamp took a little time but once I hit on the right ones, it went pretty fast.  Now I just need to know what to do with the leftover gazillion feet of florist’s paper . . .

Cardstock:         Beckett Iceberg

Stamps:              Stampin’ Place Stained Glass Cross, “Alleluia”

Inks:                   ColorBox Silver, VersaMark

Other Colors:     Pearl Ex Spring Green, Flamingo Pink, Duo Red/Blue, Reflex Violet, Carbon Black      

Emb Powder:    B’Muse Silver 

The Word

This card shows one of my favorite new techniques:  edging with UTEE.  I’ve put together a little kit that takes up almost none of my limited tabletop real estate and keeps things handy for ease of use.  Into a shallow repurposed embossing powder jar, I squeezed in a few drops of VersaMark reinker and with the lid in place, it’s easy to store.  Right next to it I have a dedicated foam finger dauber I keep in a very small clear cap saved from a non-aerosol hair spray bottle – fits perfectly and takes up no space. 

The technique is simple:  pour a good bit of UTEE into your embossing tray.  Starting on one side of your card or layer, dab the reinker into the VersaMark and stroke upward towards the corner (if you start at the corner, it’s too easy to tear the foam).  Stroke the other way without trying for a ruler-sharp line:  a little free-form movement is the objective here.  Angle the dauber to keep the VersaMark on top of the card instead of allowing the foam to smoosh around to the back, as this will collect unwanted UTEE and make the card stick to your work surface when heating.  Ask me how I found this out.  Do two sides and then dip both into the UTEE.  Heat until almost but not completely melted for some interesting texture.  Repeat with the other two sides.  When an edge doesn’t look quite finished and needs a little something (but you don’t know just what), this will very often do the trick!

Cardstock:         Bazzill Orchid, Beckett Iceberg, generic Lilac       

Stamps:              Stampendous Easter Cross, Mesh Brayer            

Inks:                    Ancient Page Amethyst, ColorBox Black

Emb Powder:    Cloisonné  UTEE Sterling Silver, Judikins Detail Black        

Emb Folder:       Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes

Doo Dads:          Silver Dot Stickers