Little Friends Altered Candle Holder

Hello everyone! Seems like ages since I've created anything... Things are moving along slowly here at my house, but I must say that even though it's difficult, I see progress and the beginning of healing in my marriage. Oh Praise God!!!

Change is soooo hard! Sometimes it's easier just to stay stuck in the pit than to do the work it takes to get out lol! I am determined NOT to stay stuck though. I know that God has much better plans for me than to wallow in the mud...

Yesterday, I had a much needed day of fun and shopping with a dear friend! I stumbled across this gorgeous candle holder at Yankee Candle in the Outlet Mall. When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect to showcase Elisabeth Bell's Little Friends from her Digital Collection :)

It's my turn as GDT to post on The Digi Bells DT Blog. If you haven't checked it out yet, The Digi Bells have some AMAZING creations to swoon over...

I've embellished the candle holder with pink lace, white pearls, Wild Orchid Roses (small) and pink and white roses from my winnings from Jacque's Sweet Stuff! Thanks again, Sweetie ♥

Copics used: E11 E01 E00 E000; YR24 Y26 Y23 E50; B97 B95 B93 B91 B000; B06 B000 B0000; BG000 B000; YG67 YG63 YG05 YG00.

For the background, I decided to do something different! I dripped Blending Solution to create an interesting pattern... and (although you can't see much here) I used Stormy Sky Distress Ink around the edges to create a little depth. You'll also find white gel pen and stickles accents!

Here you can take a peek at the cutouts on the back of the candle holder - sooo pretty!

I love the smell of sweet pea and the beautiful color of this candle :) It won't be long before I light it! I LOVE candles ♥

I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

The Hobby House - Hobby House Artists (E. Bell)

The Shabby Tea Room - Sweet Summertime/inspiration photo

MarkerPop - The Blues

Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

ABC - U for Unlimited

Penny's - Spooled Items (lace, pearls)

I pray you are well and enjoying your weekend!!! Happy crafting!!!

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

Boy and Girl Onesie Shaped Cards

Hello lovelies! Just a quick post from me today... lots on my heart and mind lately. It was a very emotional and draining weekend - and to top it off - it's my 31st Anniversary today... enough said about that!

This week at The Cutting Cafe, we were able to choose any file to work with. I chose this adorable Onesie Shaped Card which I transformed into a card for a baby boy and one for a baby girl ♥

The file comes with different shapes for the front. I obviously chose the heart for both... In Silhouette Designer's Edition, I created the blue trim on the boy Onesie. Not perfect by any means, but I think it adds a little bit more since I decided to have the main shape white!

Cute li'l lace trim for the girl is simply glued and folded over like pleats. Both cards are embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder with a dotted chevron pattern. I really like the texture :)

The Onesie Shaped Card comes with a variety of inserts... check these out!

I'd like to enter into the following Challenges:

Crafty Catz - Ribbon Pleating (I hope my lace counts!)

Sister Act - Anything Goes
Natalie and Amy's - Embossing

Stampin with the Dragon - Buttons n Bows

Crazy 4 Challenges - Buttons and Bows
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

Hiding in My Craft Room - Freestyle
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy - Hey Baby

Thanks so much for popping in my sweet friends ♥ If you think of me, please say a prayer... Hubby and I have LOTS to work out!

I love you dearly ♥

*** My current Giveaway can be found HERE! ***


 *** DT CALL ***

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

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~