First Holy Communion

Here I was last night cruising right along on today's post for Lori Craig's Divine Design Challenge. I had everything ready to go except the picture of the card (I usually take those in the morning so I can get good natural light). Then today as I was photographing the card, it finally dawned on me that this does NOT qualify for her challenge because it doesn't have Scripture on it. Doh! (Click the link to read about the challenge -- it's a great idea, and open to anyone!)

I had originally intended to use an absolutely lovely corresponding stamp of Matthew 26: 26,27 from First Holy Communion by Our Daily Bread Designs, but in all the arranging and rearranging of the design process, for space reasons, I switched from the Scripture stamp to this "God Bless You ... " sentiment. But I really do want to participate in the challenge again this month, so you might see me crank out another one of these today if I have time!

In the meantime, isn't this image a beauty?! Kelley at Our Daily Bread Designs has done it again. WOW! I stamped in Onyx Black Versafine on watercolor paper and colored with reinkers and an aqua painter. The two ovals that make the frame are cut with classic oval nestabilities. I nested the two dies on the Cuttlebug plate first, then cut the frame out in one pass. After that I ran the frame back through the Cuttlebug with the Textile embossing folder. I trimmed around the stamped image, so that parts of it would overhang the frame.

For the sentiment, I stamped in Basic Black classic ink on vellum (the pigment inks *never* dry on the vellum - ask me how I know, lol!), then attached it to a slightly bigger piece of Elegant Eggplant with Artichoke brads to make it a little more sturdy. Then all of that is attached to the dry embossed Elegant Eggplant background using dimensionals. The dry embossing on the Elegant Eggplant bg is done with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, and the Always Artichoke bg is done with Textile.

Any questions about anything else -- just ask!

And speaking of questions ... I've had a couple of requests for secrets to tying a knot in ribbon. I've seen a handful of video tutorials out there, but I have a twist to my knot-tying that may be helpful. I'm hoping to put together a quick video, since that seems so much easier than trying to explain the steps with just words. I have no idea what I'm doing as far as making a video, but I do have a digital video camcorder and my sister has a Mac, so I think I'll just put that whole Mac "plug 'n play" claim to the test :) (I'm moderately afraid I'll end up wanting one.) For now, I just wanted you to know I'm knot ignoring those questions. Yes I did that on purpose ;)

Have a blessed day!



Stamps: First Holy Communion (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko); So Saffron, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Baroque Burgundy, Elegant Eggplant, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Basic Grey reinkers
Accessories: Textile and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folders; Apricot grosgrain ribbon, Rich Regals brads, corner rounder, vellum card stock