The Digi Bells Little Mama

A big warm welcome and huge hug to all of you, my dear sweet friends ♥ I'd like to thank you sooooo very much for your comments and emails. You've been so encouraging and uplifting during this very difficult time :) My journey of forgiveness continues and I must remain hopeful that someday all will be better than before!!!

Counseling week four... not sure how I feel actually. Don't get me wrong, there were some very good things that came out during our session. What I've yet to tell you is that my hubby and I are experiencing trouble. For now, I'll leave it at that... Last week was still about me and my ANGER!!! This week, I feel that forgiveness is quite possible, but still pondering on how God is going to take away the pain. Not that He can't - He's just not doing it as quickly as I'd like LOL!!!

Anyway... crafting has been a little more difficult this past month. I'm hoping that I can pour out my feelings in an art journal at some point. Until then, I like creating pretty things ♥

This is Little Mama from Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection HERE.

She's colored with copics and ooops... once again I forgot to write them down :(

I was sooooo excited about this banner! I know you crafters will totally understand what I'm talking about :) I've seen something similar all over your gorgeous cards and I decided to try and create my own using Silhouette Designer's Edition. What do you think??? I even created a perforated edge haha.

I've  used a number of dies on this card. The image is die cut with Spellbinders Floral Ovals. The Elegant Scrollwork is a Memory Box die and the Picket Fence is from poppystamps.

The single pearls are Ice White Pearl Pen HERE.

I forgot I had this pretty pink/white polka dot ribbon from Michael's. I'll certainly be using this more often :) I added the string of pearls to imitate the pearls in the image... My favorites are lace and pearls and I just don't use them often enough!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Outlawz - Anything Goes (optional Christmas Twist) 

Sister Act - Anything Goes

Simon Says - Anything Goes
Pattie's Creations - Anything Goes

*** My current giveaway is HERE ***

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday ♥ I'm looking forward to getting lots of crafting in this weekend :)

Lots and lots heartfelt love to you ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge

Good morning and welcome back sweet friends ♥ I had a wonderful visit with my sister the other day... It was a much needed time of sharing our hearts - well, mostly I shared my sorrows, but our hearts reconnected and that was awesome :)

I'd like to talk a little bit about anger today. It has been 30 days since I discovered some very traumatic news. I was totally devastated and extremely angry for most of those 30 days. I didn't want to forgive, I wanted to be angry! In fact, I 'deserved' the right to be angry! Anyone relate?

Although I'm still very hurt, and can certainly get mad all over again, I've discovered there's a better way to deal with pain. I'm still in the beginning phases of forgiveness, but I've decided through prayer and reading Scripture that remaining angry is not the way to go. I am really only hurting myself!

Is there someone who has hurt you deeply? Maybe you can't seem to break free from the pain. Call on Jesus ♥ He died to set us free... to make a way for us to have a right relationship with God. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; the only way to the Father!!! God gave up His only Son so that we can live, but my sin stood in the way...until I asked for forgiveness :)

Yes. It's about FORGIVENESS.

Matthew 6:14 says, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:15 continues, But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I don't know about you, but I NEED forgiveness! As much as it hurts, I choose to give up my 'right' to be angry and bitter. Besides, the people who hurt us are not off God's hook... just off ours. I already feel a little bit lighter - how 'bout you?

Sizzling Summer at Elisabeth Bell's World!!!

Today begins a NEW challenge at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog. This month it's all about "Sizzling Summer."

I decided to color up Little Best Friends from Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection. These cuties just look so peaceful and filled with joy in one another's company :)

Here are the copics used: Skin - E13 E11 E01 E000; Hair - E25 YR24 Y26 Y23 E50/E37 E35 E33 E31 E30 YR24; Bathing Suits - Y19 Y15 Y11 Y00/B97 B95 B93 B91 B00 B0000; Sand - E30 E31 Y15 B00.

*See THIS POST on "How to Cut Out Digital Images with the Silhouette"*

This is the same Purse Shaped Card from The Cutting Cafe I created last week. This time it's taken on... Fun in the Sun!

Look Mom... even the back is finished!!! Papers and sentiment are from Pink Petticoat. Thanks Liz... LOVE your papers :)

Simple to cut and assemble... this is a great Purse Shaped Card for a quick and easy project! Add one of Elisabeth's images and voila! You've got a Hot Sizzlin' Summer Tote ready for the new challenge!!!

***My current giveaway is at THIS POST!***

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

How to Cut Out Digital Images with the Silhouette

Hi again!  I didn't mean to be back so soon, but I've had a number of requests to do a tutorial on how I cut out my images with my Cameo! So I'll try to be as clear as possible... If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be happy to help :)

So the first thing I do is open up my image in Photoshop Elements 10 (whatever photo editing program you have will work fine). I prefer to use PNG files because they open up in my Silhouette software the correct size.

This image is Little Best Friends by Elisabeth Bell and can be found HERE.

The next thing I do is create a black fill in PSE 10. I use the paint bucket tool to quickly fill the larger areas and if needed, color in with the brush.

Once the image is completely filled in and saved (I usually name the file as is with "Black Fill" added to the end) I open the silhouette in Silhouette lol!

Next I go to the Trace Window, click on "Select Trace Area" UNcheck "High Pass Filter" and if necessary to fill in completely with yellow, increase the "Threshold."

Click on Trace (if image has inner parts to cut) or Trace outer edge...

Although this extra step isn't necessary, I really like to do an offset because when I print and cut, sometimes things get a little wonky lol!

Not shown here, but I decrease the offset to around 0.025" so it's closer to the original cut lines and then delete the original trace.

Now it's time to print and cut!

Drag and drop the original image from your saved file into the newly created cut file and align as necessary.

Go to Registration Marks as you'll need these to print and tell the Silhouette where to cut! Click on show "Registration Marks." Now print!

Be sure not to move anything on your screen after you print and before you cut!!!

OK... so on this very used cutting mat is my freshly printed image (along with some pieces you'll see in the very near future!). The registration marks are in both top corners and one in the bottom left. Insert your paper the same way you have it in your software :)

Make sure all lines are set to cut... then cut away!

I hope this tutorial has helped you create your own print and cut images. Don't hesitate to ask questions....I'll help in any way I can :)

Thank you for stopping by today!

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My CANDY giveaway is at THIS POST!

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May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

The Digi Bells Blog Hop is Here!

Welcome back sweet friends ♥ So happy you could join us for the newest Digi Bells Blog Hop!!! I have the great honor of joining these fabulous girls for the next couple of months... EEK!!! Can you tell how excited I am?

If you've come from Mary Lou's blog, be assured you are on the right track :) If you've missed all the gorgeous inspiration and you'd like to start at the beginning, head on over to Sebrina's blog. The entire hop list can be found on The Digi Bells Blog.

Without further ado, may I present my offering for this oh-so-adorable image, Sweetest Surprises..

Sweetest Surprises is the newest addition to Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection. Her name fits her well... she's so very sweet! I love how carefree she is - simply enjoying being outside with a very special sweet treat - all the while a pretty butterfly keeps her company :)

I've colored her up with copics. I'm sorry I didn't write them down this time. DP is C'est la Vie by Melissa Frances and the gorgeous die cuts are Spellbinders Floral Ovals and Decorative Labels Eight.

I found the cute li'l ice cream cone charm at Michael's. I gave the ice cream a good covering of Stardust Stickles. I have a mixture of flowers to adorn the bottom of the card. The cream flowers are from Jacque's Sweet Stuff winnings (thanks Sweetie!) along with a Wild Orchid flower and a few ribbon roses from my stash.

Instead of using adhesive pearls, I went with my Pearl Pen. When I don't have to place them in a perfect row, I LOVE to use a Pearl Pen!

If you are interested, I have some blog candy below this post...

Your next stop is Alethea's blog!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Exciting News and Blog Candy!!!

For Inky Impressions Challenge, scroll down... you might also find some candy :)

I am over the top excited to be posting today as GDT for The Digi Bells! Yaaahoooooo!!! For the next few months, I have the privilege of creating alongside the FABULOUS team of creative geniuses AND using Elisabeth Bell's oh-so-wonderful digi's!! I think I might still be dreaming...

I decided to use the digi, Patti's Kisses. I never get tired of seeing her lol! She's just sooooo sweet :)

Now that I'm posting, I see that she's kinda floating in the clouds as I've forgotten to ground her lol. Oops... let's just say she's so happy that she's floating :)

She's colored with copics, of course... Skin - E000 E01 E11; Hair - YR24 Y26 Y23 E50; Clothes - BG18 BG15 BG13 BG11 BG10 BG000, Bear - E37 E34 E33 E31 R20. Stardust Stickles accents.

The base of my card is 5"x7" by The Paper Studio. The base layer is embossed with Polka Dot Page embossing folder. The gorgeous die cuts are Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles.

I've used Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad around the image and a pretty blue ribbon to give this card a little pop of color. I've used my favorite lace and adhesive backed pearls to finish.

Next is a very RARE type of card from me. I just don't seem to know what to do with them. Inky Impressions challenge theme this week is Masculine. I'm not sure how masculine this actually is, but there's a boy on it lol!

He is a little cutie! This is Christopher with Heart. You can find him HERE.
I used copics to color him in: Skin - E000 E00 E11; Hair - YR24 Y23 E25; Heart - RV34 RV32 RV11 RV10 RV00 plus RV04 RV02; Cap - G28 G24 G21 B06 B000 B00 scratched for texture; Pants - E37 E33 E31 E30; Soles of shoes - C9 C7 C5.

"My Teacher Rules" and the li'l apple are cut files from the Silhouette Online Store. I used copics to color in very simply.

Wow... two cards without any patterned paper hee hee. Am I going CAS? :)

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says - Back to School

Candy Time!!!

Please help me celebrate today by joining in my Giveaway! For starters, I have a $20 Gift Certificate to The Scrapping Cottage. There are so many fabulous dies to choose from!!!

Since I don't have a photo, I borrowed this... I hope it's OK!

Next, I have an extra set of Sewing & Writing dies by Sizzix.

Next up are two 6x6 paper pads: This & That by Lori Whitlock and Nostalgia by MME. A clear stamp set by Fiskars: Sincere Salutations. I managed to purchase this twice...imagine that!

If you'd like to enter for a chance to win these goodies, please link up below. I will draw a random winner on September 22.

• Not necessary to win, but I'd appreciate it if you'd place a photo on your sidebar and be a follower!

Thank you to everyone who comes to say hello every now and then :) I love you more than you know!!!

Have a wonderful, creative week ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Shabby Chic Purse Card (Set)

Oh my goodness... if you are needing a quick and adorable purse card, this is the one to have. I threw this together in minutes!!! I even decorated the back lol! There are so many options and looks you can create just by changing up the paper and embellishments...

Over at The Cafe, my teamies and I are showcasing Regina's Purse Shaped Card and Treat Box Set and Assorted Purse Box. If you want a more detailed and substantial look, go for the Assorted Purse Box. Check out all the fabulous samples at The Cafe!!!

Papers are from Pink Petticoat... ♥ them!

As I was writing up this post, I realized that I forgot to create the Treat Box that goes along with this card :( I've been having some trouble lately and my heart has been very heavy. Please forgive me for not being my usual self... I'm waiting upon the LORD for His healing hand to restore my soul ♥

Until then, I'll try my best to bring my best :)

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Thank you to everyone who emailed me an answer to my question on the Winner's Post. Every single one of you were correct :) However, the FIRST one to reply was Kelly Lloyd. Yay Kelly! Your prize will be on it's way shortly.
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Lots and lots of love to you, dear friends ♥

See you soon...

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Winner's Post!!!

Hello sweet friends! So happy to see you again :D

No project to show today...but I've got quite a few up my sleeve to show in the next few days with some exciting news AND more CANDY!!! Yay :)

Thank you to everyone who showed interest in my $30 Saturated Canary Gift Voucher! As always, it's so hard to know that most of you will not win this time, but there certainly will be many others chances!

So on to the winner...

That's you, Annelies! Congratulations Sweetie :) Please contact me (email is located on my sidebar) to claim your $30 Gift Voucher!!!

Now, for those of you who are reading past the winner, I have a little game for you :)

The first person who can give me the correct answer will win...

This adorable li'l mini bicycle clear stamp by Imaginisce!

Question:  I've been healed by what type of cancer???

(hint: look on my sidebar...)

Thanks to everyone for playing!!!

Do you LOVE dies as much as I do? You might want to check back in a few days as I might have another something to give away *wink*

I love you with all my heart, sweet friends ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Saturated Canary Giveaway Time!!!

Please scroll down for current posts.

Hi there! I'm finally back :) It was so strange not being able to connect with you for over a week!!! Thankfully, I did have my phone which allowed me to check emails and spend a lot of time on Pinterest lol! Hopefully, my internet woes are a thing of the past...pesky necessities...

While I've been gone, I was able to put together TWO Giveaways! I'm going to release the 1st Giveaway today which is...

$30 Gift Certificate to Saturated Canary!!!

This giveaway is for my friends (new and old) only. Please do not enter only for the prize and then leave :( I will check if you have a candy only blog and your entry will be deleted.

Please follow these simple steps to be eligible to win:

1. Follow this blog. New friend? So happy to see you!
2. If you are on Facebook, Like My Comfort Cottage Cards & Crafts HERE.
3. For an extra entry, share this on your Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.         and leave me a message with the link to your share.
4. Link up below.

Giveaway ends August 15, 2013. I will post the winner shortly after.

Thank you, sweet friends ♥ I love and appreciate you much more than words can express!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Friendships Rock!!!

Second Post... See below for The Paper Shelter Challenge!

Well...this afternoon I'll be going to my second counseling session. My life has been turned upside down. What I thought was, isn't. What I thought wasn't is... la-la-la-la... Can anyone relate? Let's face it...relationships are hard! Maybe someday I'll be able to share more, but until then, I think that my pain can and will help someone else who is in pain in a different way :) Although my mind and emotions are up and down, I KNOW the constant love and truth of Jesus Christ. He is the Author and Perfecter of our Faith! He is my closest friend who will always be available 24/7! His love is unconditional and His grace flows freely ♥

I dedicate this card to ALL my friends...that's YOU ♥ I love you!!!

"A friend gives hope when life is low, a friend is a place when you have nowhere to go, A friend is honest, a friend is true. A friend is precious and that my friend is you!"

This awesome sentiment is called A Friend Gives. It's a digi from Inky Impressions HERE.

This week's challenge at Inky Impressions is all about Things with Wings! If you're like me and don't have a winged image, you can also use some beautiful butterflies :) I couldn't wait to get my new butterfly die from Simon Says Stamp! It's my new fave!!!

The papers I've used for this card came as a freebie in a magazine... woo hoo! The lattice background is a cut file from Silhouette and topped with Pearl Pen pearls :)

I had to get on the FranTage bandwagon hee hee. I've had this for some time now, but didn't really know how to use it! This is it's debut lol! I covered the metal corner embellishment first with Distress Paint and then heat embossed the FranTage. Pretty cool... I got a little braver :) I dabbed here and there over the leaves and vine with Distress Paint and continued with the heat embossing.

Flowers are Wild Orchid. I've had these for a long time, but haven't used them much lately :( Gotta get them out more often!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

Paperminutes - Pastel Colors

Papertake Weekly - Occasion-ally (Friendship)

Tuesday Throwdown - Pastel Rainbows

Alphabet Challenge - Micro/Mini (butterflies/gems)

Delicious Doodles - Butterflies

Frosted Designs - Embossing
2 Sisters - Favorite Embellishment (Butterfly!)
One Stop Craft - Pastel Colors

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you've enjoyed your stay and will come back again soon ♥

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One more day until my $30 Saturated Canary Giveaway ends... 

You can find the post HERE.

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May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Back to School Time!

Today some moms are doing the happy dance... while others may be a bit teary-eyed. I hear the school bell ringing and class is open for many children. For some, it will be for the first time! Others are excited and happy that they get to see their friends once again. Wheeeeeee!!!

I've got a Back to School card to share with you today. I've created it for The Paper Shelter Challenge...but wait! That's not the challenge theme!!! The challenge is Use that Ribbon hahaha!

Here's the star of the show... appropriately named, Back to School!

She's cut out with my Cameo and colored with copics.

All paper is from a Recollections Stack I picked up at Michael's, as is the ribbon... Button twine is new for me (love it!) which I purchased from Papertrey. The Notebook Edge (on the lined paper) is from My Favorite Things.

I just love school related items... pretty much anything really! I'm not sure why, I just think they're CUTE!!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays - Back to School

Crazy 4 Challenges - Back to School
Sister Act - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Use a school supply
One Stitch at a Time - Use a Digi

If you've played with us at The Paper Shelter before, you'll remember that Pedro and Veronica so generously awards the winner using a TPS image, a $30 Gift Voucher to spend at The Paper Shelter Store; if you use another company's image, you can still win 3 images of your choice! Woo Hoo!!!

Please join in the fun!

If you haven't entered my CANDY yet, there's still time...but not much - ends tomorrow! See THIS post.

Thank you for your sweet friendship ♥ I hope to pop by and see what you're up to today!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

It's ALL About the Shoes!

LOL... Guess what's on my feet right now? I'm giggling because of the title of my post :) Anyone who really knows me, knows that my favorite footwear is actually NO footwear. Yup...barefoot but not pregnant!!! That really would be a miracle lol.

I had SO MUCH FUN with this High Heel Shoe Shaped Card Template - cutting file by The Cutting Cafe! I really, really like how it turned out :)

There are a number of optional pieces that come with this set. I've used the strap and bow pieces here...

The sentiment (one of many included in this file) was printed on white cardstock and cut using a Silhouette shape (as were the hearts). In case it's too small to read, the sentiments says, Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world - Marilyn Monroe.

Even though I only used two papers, I think this turned out quite elegant! The pink polka dot paper is from a digital download by Pink Petticoat; cream cardstock is from Papertrey Ink.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe - Bingo (die cuts, sparkle, stitching)

ABC - Stitching (faux)

Whoopsi Daisy - Stitching (faux)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Charisma - Stitching (faux)
Allsorts - Stitching

Cute Card Thursday - Die-ing to Punch

Southern Girls - Things beginning with F (Footwear!)

...and now let's welcome and congratulate my new teamies on The Cutting Cafe DT:

Laura Love  

Debbie Fisher

Sean Covert

Cathryn Holzschuher

Julie Odil

Mitra Pratt

New Video Designers

Katryce Townsend

Shanta Newby

Can't wait to see the fabulous creations they will make! Sooooo inspiring :)


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Only THREE more days until my $30 Saturated Canary Giveaway ends!!! Don't miss out... You can find the post HERE.
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May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Always Bring Your Own Sunshine!

Yesterday was my birthday!!! I really didn't have a clue as to what the day would hold - but I must say that I was very, very blessed by the love and thoughtfulness of a few special people as well as the many friends and family who sent me birthday wishes. Oh my heart is full ♥ Thank you, sweet friends for making my day so wonderful!!!

Today begins a new challenge at Inky Impressions. This week we'd like to see your Holiday/Vacation projects. Here's my take on the challenge...

The sentiment isn't that big, so I thought I'd show it first. In case it's too small to read on your screen, it says, "Wherever you go, Regardless of the weather, Always bring your own Sunshine!" What a fabulous sentiment :) HERE.

Here's my bright and cheery card! It makes me happy lol!

I duplicated and altered the suitcase image by Inky Impressions HERE. They are colored with copics: E49 37 35 34 33 31 30; 100 C9  7 5 3 2 W3; 0 Blender; Silver Spica Pen. I used Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold and Festive Berries DI around the sentiment and Mustard Seed to color inside the pretty die cut frame.

The white panel is embossed with my Damask EF which is the really BIG one! I love that I can fit 5" wide cardstock in it (and I believe around 12" in length!).

The cream swirly piece is a Silhouette cut file, pearls in the corners from my stash and the smaller pearls were made using my Pearl Pen. I love the bright yellow ribbon which I picked up at Michael's.

Challenges Entered

A Little Bit Crafty - Summer Sun

Paper Playtime - Lots of Yellow

The Pink Elephant - Texture

Crafty Creations - Texture

The Crazy Challenge - Anything Goes

MarkerPOP - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

I hope that you've enjoyed my card. Thank you for stopping by!

My Saturated Canary Giveaway is still going on... you can find the post HERE.

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~