Cinema Saturday #54 - "Finding Nemo"

I am so excited to be a Guest Designer for this week's Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge! This week, CSCC also has a Special Sponsor and Guest Designer - Taylor Van Bruggen. I am familiar with Taylor's site, and her awesome weekly Cupcake Sketch Challenges! Taylor is offering some yummy Blog Candy for the CSCC this week - so be sure to play along for your chance to win!

As you can see, Taylor's pick for our movie inspiration this week is "Finding Nemo", and she included a special Color Challenge (shown on the right side of the banner above). I used Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue, Only Orange & Whisper White on my design.

My first thought for "Finding Nemo"was the love of a father for his children, which reminded me of the "Mrs. Doubtfire" Challenge two weeks ago! But that SU! "Summer By the Sea" (retired) image is so 'two weeks ago'! (heehee) My next thought was the same stamp set, but the image of the little boy building a sand castle. This image reminds me not only of the beach and the sea, but also of the 'home' Nemo leaves behind in search of adventure. Then I thought about a clown fish made out of punches. So how to incorporate the two ideas? Why a birthday card with a 'gift' attached - a clown fish jumbo clippie bookmark! I went to the Disney "Finding Nemo" website and looked at gallery pictures there to try to re-create a clown fish for the clippie bookmark. I like the outcome, and it got thumbs up and smiles from my kids too!

Here is a look at how the inside of the card looks, for those paper-crafters like me who need to have a visual to "understand" a concept. The oval was cut out of the folded over Tempting turquoise card stock, using a Nestabilities and my Big Shot. In order to keep the card the standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - I needed to trim about an inch off the bottom - so that when the clippie bookmark was attached - it would still be the correct size, and fit in the standard A2 envelope. I used Mini Glue Dots in the corners of the inside layer, so the clippie could easily slide in and out.

The clippie bookmark 'Nemo' fish was made using SU! punches - Wide and Small Oval for the body and fins and hand punchs 1/4" and 1/8" for the eyes. I also used the Modern Label Punch for the tail fin. The background scallop ovals are Nestabilities. A Pop Up Glue Dot holds everything to together on the jumbo clippie.

Retired SU! stamp sets "It's Your Birthday" and "God's Blessings" in Brilliant Blue Classic Ink finish off the card, along with some sponging of Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink on the cover.

Thanks to Taylor for the color combo challenge - I always enjoy trying new color combinations, especially when they are still inside my comfort zone! THANK YOU Sankari and Brooke for awarding me the Audrey Award, and giving me the chance to be a guest designer this week! I look forward to seeing everyone's creations...ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - September Bookmark

"The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:5

Aaaahhh, caught up with BVC08 now. I love this project, begun by Lori Craig, so when I do fall behind on it - no matter what the reason - it only adds to my frustration. Being caught up with my bookmarks, as well as on the outside of the spiritual funk I was in this Summer, is such a wonderful feeling of relief.

This verse from the Gospel of St. John has renewed my hope. I came upon this verse after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the end of August. Meditating on the first eighteen verses of John, chapter 1 was my penance. Again - you betcha I had heard these verses many, many times. I think this is one of my favorite things about the Scripture - that His word is timeless. No matter how many times I read a passage, He always has something different to say to me in it.

A note on reconciliation - most Christians believe in reconciliation, or confessing of one's sins to God. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Catholic belief. It is sometimes mistakenly viewed as "telling a priest my sins." As defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a sacrament is an outward sign, manifested by Jesus, to give grace. Grace is God's life within us. The priest is not God. The priest does not forgive my sins. The priest is like a 'stand-in', symbolic of Jesus' presence. It is Jesus who forgives my sins, and bestows on me His Grace to try again to live my life detached from sin. It is Jesus who offers a penance to help me understand the why's of my sins, and it is Him who transforms me, through His Grace, past my sins. What I enjoy most about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is the fact that I am confessing my sins - out loud AND to another person. I have found nothing else more powerful in helping me overcome my weaknesses to sin, then speaking them out loud and to another person, as well as apologizing out loud. Is it uncomfortable? Of course! I liken it to apologizing to my children when I over react with them. If you've never gotten on your knees in front of your child, whom you have offended, apologized for your misbehavior and asked for forgiveness - you are missing out! Again, you feel sorry in your heart and know that your child won't hold against you - but that is not the same as confessing your wrong-doing out loud and to that child. Try it, and you'll see what I mean! And you'll also know the joy I feel after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation - only those feelings are even better and stronger! Another reason I love this BVC08 - Besides be given the gift of sharing in YOUR faith, I get to reflect on my Catholic faith and share it with all of you!

I have been wanting to use a lighthouse for one of my bookmarks since the beginning - and this verse couldn't be more perfect! I printed the verse on my computer, then colored over it with Copic Y02. I am pleased with the unusual-ness of this bookmark. My fav features are the hanging verse, and teh shredded ribbon at the top (made simply by making many cuts into the ribbon.)

Stamps: A Light Unto My Path (SU!)
Cardstock: Basic Black & Whisper White (SU!)
Ink: Pacific Point
Copics: Y02
Accessories: Pacific Point 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Corner Rounder, Paper Snips, Craft & Paper Scissors (all SU!) ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - August Bookmark

"I can do all things through Him
who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

As I mentioned in the Scripture Chicks - July Bookmark post, Summer was difficult for me spiritually. Through the "little things" that piled up, God allowed me to see another layer of my weaknesses. He is SO GOOD about this, in that He will not overwhelm us in this way, but one layer at a time. As I tried to draw strength from within to, once again, begin working on my weaknesses, I found I didn't have much left. This is where the middle part of last months verse from Romans 12:12 came into play "...patient in affliction...". And then, in conversation with a friend, Philippians 4:13 was spoken. And two different stamp sets with this verse were out on my stamp table. It was one of those 'slap yourself in the forehead' moments - DUH for me! I am always amazed at how we can "know" something, but not really *KNOW* it. Praise to You my Lord Jesus Christ - for always sending your Grace to strengthen me, especially when I forget You, Holy Spirit are there!

Stamps: Elegant Inspirations (retired SU!)
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Summer Picnic DSP(all SU!)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink (SU!) & Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon & Mini Glue Dots (all SU!); Marvy Giga Scallop Circle Punch; Creative Memories Circle Cutting System
ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - July Bookmark

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12

Yeeeessss, I know - I am a couple months behind on BVC08 - I think the verses I chose for the Summer months will give you an idea of why. No, nothing major occurred in my life, or my family's life - Praise God! It's more the "little things" that seemed to converge and weigh heavily upon my psyche. Thank goodness the weather was so beautiful here in Illinois this Summer, because that helped me alot.

Pope Benedict XVI has named this year the Year of St. Paul - so I think it is extra fitting that I have chosen so many verses from various letters of St. Paul for BVC08. This one, in particular, provides me with a source fo strength. When all the "little things" pile up - I call upon His Word as He inspired St. Paul to share. It is a good reminder for me of what He expects of me - in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer...I am, after all, a member of His Bride, the Church.

This bookmark showcase several NEW Stampin' Up! products. I really like the NEW Upsy Daisy set (btw- it's 15% off through October 30th!). Then there's the Scallop Edge Punch - a must have (of course what SU! punch *isn't* a must have?!). And I've been waiting for an opprtunity to use the NEW Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy(SU!), Elegant Inspirations (retired SU!)
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow & Very Vanilla (all SU!)
Ink: Handsome Hunter & Sage Shadow
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/4" Sage Shadow Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig

ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - June Bookmark

I Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

In our Culture of Death, we are urged full force to focus on ourselves, to give in to our every whim, if it feels good do it. We are told directly but more often indirectly that suffering is unacceptable and that the end justifies the means. Even the littlest sacrifices are looked down upon. For me - temptations on the daily scale are the hardest for me. The temptation to give in to self-righteousness, self-pity and self-criticism are some of my daily crosses. This Scripture verse from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians has always brought me comfort and strength. God has given us power through His Word, His Son Jesus. This passage helps me to call upon His power - for indeed - God allows nothing to tempt us that we cannot bear with His help.

Stamps: SU! Garden Silhouettes (retired)

Cardstock: SU! Not Quite Navy, Groovy Guava & Soft Sky

Ink: SU! Soft Sky

Accessories: SU! Groovy Guava Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Antique Brass Brads from Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch & Cratfers Tool Kit (paper piercing); Crop-a-dile. ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - May Bookmark

Galatians 5:22-23: "But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law."

May is not only the month of Our Blessed Mother Mary, but Pentcost was also celebrated in May on Mothers Day. So I thought this verse would be best to prepare my heart for the descent of the Holy Spirit (which is what Pentecost celebrates.) Jesus promised, before His Ascension, to send a helper to inflame and embolden the passion and zeal of His Apostles and all of us, to confirm us in our faith and help us live it out. (This is the basis for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A sacrament is an outward sign, given by Christ, to give grace.) Scripture tells us the Apostles and Our Blessed Mother were gathered in the upper room when suddenly there was a rushing sound like a strong driving wind and there appeared flames like tongues of fire over the heads of all gathered and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to preach His Good News to the crowds gathered outside who were amazed because they each heard in their native language! Isn't this one of the most amazing and exciting Scripture stories? I think their feelings that day were similar to the "high" I feel when I come home from a good retreat or conference - rejuvenated, on fire, and ready to take on the world! Like the Mom's Retreat, Catholic Homeschool Conference and the Stampin' Up! Convention!!

When I am feeling dispassionate and all out of zeal to serve my Lord, I plan to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit through this verse to renew my openness to His Grace, re-direct my focus and refresh my heart and soul in His service.

Wind, flames and the dove are traditional symbols of the Holy Spirit - I chose the dove and the flame, if I could have thought of a way to incorporate some swirls to signify the wind I would have!

Stamps: SU! Peace Be Unto You

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Real Red, Pumpkin PIe, Summer Sun & Naturals White

Copics: Y15, Y17, YR04, YR18, R27, Colorless Blender

Accessories: The Essential Glue Pad, Duck Tail Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter

ENJOY!

Bookmarks Wrapped Up

As I was finishing up these bookmarks for my dear friend Mindy - and was already 'burning the midnight oil' - I was inspired to create a holder for the bookmarks, so that when Min gave them to her friend (borrowing here from the art of cooking) the presentation was as nice as the entree. I apologize for the blurry pic of the open folder - cheap digital camera (new on eon the way! woohoo!) but you get the idea. I didn't follow any template, I just measured the widest and tallest bookmarks, then figured out the size of the folds and pockets from there - good thing I have 12" x 12" card stock on hand.

Stamps: SU! Define Your Life (journey stamp) and Sketches (retired)

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black (can't remember if it was the dye or pigment one! That's what happens when one stamps until 3:30am!!) This is one of the new inks I am trying out with my Copic Markers, got it from CreativePlayStamps.com

Cardstock: SU! Textured Basic Black, Blush Blossom & Recollections DSP (retired)

Accessories: SU! Slit Punch, Aquapainter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Bravo Burgundy, Blush Blossom Eyelets(retired color), Crop-a-dile & Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!

Bookmarks for Mindy Continued...

This was one of my favorites out of the six I made for my dear friend Mindy. I especially liked it because of the color combo - SU! Night of Navy, Groovy Guava & Bashful Blue. The image is from the SU! set Garden Silhouettes and is stamped in Bashful Blue, then the focal piece is edged with a Stampin' Sponge in Night of Navy. The SU! Ticket Corner Punch makes the focal layers pop out. The finishing touches are the SU! Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon and the Ice Square Brad also in light blue. Simple and elegant - which I think speaks very well of the Peace we get from our Lord. ENJOY!


This simple and lovely bookmark is SU! Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and Naturals White. It is accented with a flower from the SU! Pretties Kit that was sprayed with Silver Glimmer Mist, with an SU! Pretty inPink Brad and Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!

This was another one of my favorites because the colors are so yummy! Yep - yummy - doesn't it look like mint chocolate chip ice cream to you?! ;)

Stamp: SU! Garden Silhouettes

Card Stock: Choclate Chip, Certainly Celery & Whsiper White

Ink: Certainly Celery Classic Pad, then Stampin' Writes in Clost to Cocoa to ink the stem (yep, right over the Certianly Celery ink - it toned the brown down a bit, which I wanted to make sure the verse could be easily read.)

Accessories: All SU! - Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Antique Brass Brads from HodgePodge Hardware, Crafters Tool Kit for paper piercing, Chocolate Chip 5/8" & Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbons (I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the ribbons together!), Corner Rounder Punch. ENJOY!





I had fun playing with the Love & Happiness RubOns I got for FREE during SU!'s Sale-abration earlier this year. You can't see the slight gloss to the black rub-ons, but it makes a nice look to this simple bookmark. I used SU! Rose Red, Basic Black & Whisper White card stocks. ENJOY!

Monarch Butterfly Bookmark

The Mindy Bookmarks continued... ;). This Scripture verse speaks of being in Eden and being bejeweled with precious stones. Anyone else hear GLITTER! being exuberantly and joyfully screamed out? heehee But not just glitter, also some gemstone brads!

Okay - so I took advantage of the FAB sale over at CreativePlayStamps, (CPS) [which, by the way, was extended through TODAY, June 2nd - that's 15% off everything in their online store - like all the items I used on this bookmark!] and got LOTS of fun embellishments to play with. so look for some CPS inspiration in the coming months.

#1 CPS Treasure Find - though not new to many of you, The Essential Glue Pad Kit was new to me and IT IS AMAZING! Nothing could be easier. I used it to stamp the CPS Monarch Butterfly image, then sprinkled the Angel Dust Ultrafine Transparent Glitter (similar to SU! Dazzling Diamonds Glitter). I tried out several of the Glitter colors that CPS carries on the SU! Elegant Eggplant cardstock before settling on this one that went best with the SU! Almost Amethyst the Scripture is printed on. If you use alot of glitter you simply MUST have one of these Glue Pads - and why not get it on sale? Get over to CreativePlayStamps TODAY, and you can stock on glitter too! :)

The Butterfly also has a few SU! Fire Circle Brads on it, to reinforce the gemstones talked about in the Scripture verse.

#2 CPS Treasure Find - Gemstone Brads & Velvet Brads, along with felt flowers and butterflies. The Jeweled Brads from Heidi Swapp have some HUGE brads that would great flower centers among other ideas. You really need to check out the entire CPS Embellishment Section they have really expanded. ENJOY!

Pretties Kit Clippie

Another Pretties Kit Clippie Bookmark - isn't it lovely? My dear friend Mindy was the recipient of one of my Scripture Chick bookmarks before her open heart surgery a couple months ago . She liked it so much that she asked me to create some Scripture bookmarks for her to give as a gift, and some to keep for herself. So I'll be posting them over the next couple of days. Choosing bookmarks as my Scripture Chick project (aka Bible Verse Challenge BVC08 on SCS or Divine Design on the original Chicks blogs) was definitely Holy Spirit inspired. I am so enjoying creating these bookmarks!

This time I used the Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker to polka-dot the Pretties Kit large flower. The Scripture verse is printed on Barely Banana, and punched out using the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. This time around, I tied the bow FIRST, SU! Black Gingham Ribbon for this one, then adhered the bow with a Mini Glue Dot. I like this much better than tying it around the clippie. That's how designing goes isn't it? You keep tweaking it until you hit the perfect combination. That's part of what makes it fun for me, how about you? ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - April Bookmark

Whew! April and May are CRAZY in our house with dh's work schedule. So though I worked on memorizing my verse for April - the bookmark actually got made last night! May and June are both in the works too, so hopefully with June's I will be caught up and stay that way! :)

This verse struck a chord in my heart when I heard it while watching the movie "The Gospel of John" with dh during Lent this year. If you haven't seen this movie, it really is 99% word for word the gospel of St. John. I followed along in my Bible!

Such a simple verse, and yet so much truth and power. As a Catholic, and as Christians in general, we are all called to this 'dying to self' process. When I struggle with this, I use this verse from His all-powerful Word to redirect my thoughts and thus my actions.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

The inspiration for this simple design took two extra months to come to me - but I love the result. I think it goes with the Scripture verse perfectly! I used a jumbo paper clip (found in Wal-Mart business supply aisle) and attached a Pretties Kit large flower that had been polka-dotted with the writing tip of my Real Red Stampin' Write. Well, my polka-dots quickly turned into little crosses, (though our dd said they looked more like starts to her) as the ink soaked and spread on the fabric of the flower. Not the effect I was trying for, but I still like it.

I mounted the Pretties Flower with Mini Glue Dots to a Whisper White 1 3/8" Circle before mounting it to the jumbo clippie with a Pop Up Glue Dot and attaching another 1 3/8" Whisper White Circle to the back of it. Then a Real Red 1 3/8" Circle and the verse on a 1 1/4" Circle - all with Mini Glue Dots. My BVC08 April Bookmark is finished off with a bow of Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and a Clear Brad (also from the Pretties Kit) that I clipped the prongs off of and attached to the middle of the bow with another Mini Glue Dot. Have I told you lately how much I adore the SU! Mini Glue Dots?! They are a staple!!
ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks

Finally - the pressure of not having gotten these projects done is lifted! ;) Here are my February and March Scripture Bookmarks to continue playing along with the Scripture Chick Challenge begun by one of my favorite bloggers Lori Craig. You can learn about it by clicking on her Divine Design category, or by checking out BVC08 in the SCS Gallery. It's never too late to begin your Scripture Chick year (or Divine Design for our gentlemen papercrafters! If you are a gentlemen crafter, please leave a link to your BVC08 designs in this post. I'd love to see what you've done so far.)

MARCH Scripture Bookmark

The Scripture I am working on for March comes from Philippians 4:6-7,

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

This a verse that, every time I see it, calls to me. There are four types of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, petition and confession/forgiveness. This verse from St. Paul tells how to pray a perfect prayer - "have no anxiety" = ask for His forgiveness (what else besides our sin and lack of trust in Him causes us true anxiety?) ; "supplication" = give Him honor, praise & adoration; "thanksgiving" = say thank you for something(s) ; and "let your requests be made known" = include a petition or request. And then there is a promise for this perfect prayer - "the peace of God" and "keeping my heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Memorization of this Scripture has been long overdue! ENJOY!

Stamps: One of a Kind.

Colors: Not Quite Navy,Gable Green & Bashful Blue.

Accessories: Build-a-Brad, Boho Punch, Soft Subtles Brads, Stampin Write Markers, Dimensionals & Mini Glue Dots.

This is my February Scripture Bookmark, which highlights the Scripture verse of II Corinthians 12:9 - "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." This verse has been posted on a sticky note above my computer screen for years, and I have looked at it often, but never committed it to memory. I have found, in the midst of hurt, anger, resentment, loneliness - or any of a slew of the not-so-nice emotions, that this verse brings instant comfort. It also gives instant direction to where I should go or what I should do next when in the midst of these kinds of emotions.

The bookmark uses Bravo Burgundy & Creamy Caramel card stock, along with an Acetate overlay that has been stamped with the swirls from the Pricelss Stamp Set in White StazOn. The Bravo BUrgundy layer is stamped, tone on tone, with the Print Pattern Background Stamp. The top & bottom edges are covered with the Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon from the Occasions 2008 Mini Catalog. It is finished off with an Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet (set with the Crop-a-dile, of course!) and some Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!