 
Hey y’all, Happy Friday!! Oh, and happy end of March already. You know what tomorrow is right? We’ll I’m not fooling but I’m planning to have a blog post again tomorrow. In the mean time, today’s card features a sweet sentiment from Quietfire Design – The Greatest Strength. So often I select a sentiment because it resonates with me, in something that has happened over the week. This week – for no reason – I rolled over to frustration. When I pulled this stamp out, it reminded me that the race is long and is not often won by might by but by patience and gentleness in the long haul. This is so hard to remember when you are trying to get somewhere fast but several small achievements and blessings were so helpful in correcting my course.
Today I built my card on a printed cream card base 6.5″ wide by 5″ tall that I cut (both layers at once) a bottom border onto using Spellbinders Graceful Scallops. I love how that turned out and I played around with stitching floss through the holes. I didn’t keep the stitching for this card, but it will win its way onto the next card I make using Graceful Scallops. The focal layer is built in three tiers with Spellbinders Labels 29 on the bottom (adhered with double foam tape), followed by Spellbinders Victorian Bow. Directly on top of that I stacked Spellbinders Label 55 Decorative Element and finished with Spellbinders Classic Ovals SM (adhered with a single layer of foam tape).
For new readers, every Friday it’s my pleasure to give away a card. The card goes to a randomly picked reader (worldwide) who leaves a comment in our conversation. Want to know more about Day of Giving, here’s a link to my FAQ’s just check out #11. You can check the list of winners HERE! For your comment: What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
Stamps: Quietfire Design – The Greatest Strength
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest – Natural White – Cover – 80lb smooth, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Ink and Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder
Accessories: Spellbinders Graceful Scallops, Spellbinders Labels 29, Spellbinders Victorian Bow, Spellbinders Label 55 Decorative Element, Spellbinders Classic Ovals SM, Satin Ribbon – The Paper Source, Button, The Paper Studio – Pearls
Hey friends, thanks as always for stopping by!!
Posted in *Amazing Paper Grace - Graceful Scallops, *Classic Ovals SM, *Labels (29) Twenty Nine, *Labels (55) Fifty Five Decorative Elements, *Victorian Bow, -Anytime Cards, :Cream, :Pink, Day of Giving Friday, Other Sizes, Quietfire Design, Stamping
Good morning sweet friends! How does Friday get here so soon, lol? I’ve shared this card on the Spellbinders Blog but wanted to show it here today so that I could offer it for Day of Giving Friday. When I showed it before I offered step by step directions on how to put it together and you can see those instructions HERE. To cut the frame into four neat mitered pieces as I have above, I’m using Spellbinders 6×6 Graceful Frame Maker – you can see a video on how this die does it magic HERE. The focal die that I’m using for the card is Spellbinders Sweet Words and from that set I’m using the Hugs Border. At the top of the card I’ve used Spellbinders Art Deco – Deco Duality cut using Spellbinders A2 Bracket Border. I used my favorite embossing folder – Spellbinders Floral Embossing Folder – I think it adds just that special touch of texture to the top of the card.
Just as a note of follow up, I went to my friends funeral last weekend – she was a fellow crafter and we’ve been in the same small crafting group that has met every month for approaching 18 years. It was a sweet celebration of her going home but her illness was pretty short and the swiftness in which it all happened caught so many of us off guard. I say that because she has been on my mind this week, and her circumstances have had me deep in reflection. That’s how it happens, isn’t it? We get so busy with things – some that are important and some that are not. Yes, there is sadness, but yet she leaves me with a sweet gift to do some course correction and fine tuning to make sure life is as full as it can be. I thank her for that reminder.
For new readers, every Friday it’s my pleasure to give away a card. The card goes to a randomly picked reader (worldwide) who leaves a comment in our conversation. Want to know more about Day of Giving, here’s a link to my FAQ’s just check out #11. You can check the list of winners HERE! For your comment: Kindness can be as simple as a smile, a hug, lending a shoulder or sending a card. What is your favorite way to share your kindness?
Stamps: Quietfire Design – Together Forever
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest – Natural White – Cover – 80lb smooth, Papertrey Ink –
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Accessories: Spellbinders 6×6 Graceful Frame Maker, Spellbinders Sweet Words, Spellbinders Art Deco – Deco Duality, Spellbinders A2 Bracket Border, Spellbinders Floral Embossing Folder, Silk Ribbon – May Arts, Tulle Flowers – Hobby Lobby,
As always, I thank you for taking time to stop by – I really appreciate it!!
Posted in *Amazing Paper Grace - Graceful Frame Maker, *Amazing Paper Grace - Graceful Sweet Words, *Bracket Borders One - A2, *Deco Duality, -Anytime Cards, 6 x 6 (Square), :Cream, :Pink, Day of Giving Friday, Stamping, ^Floral Embossing Folder, |Elegant, |Embossed Cards
Hi there friends or rather hey, yall! Today finds me creating at my desk, I’m editing dies, creating new dies and much, much more! I have to say these little dies are almost like my children. I hope, dream and pray over them and then try to breathe them to life; some times it requires a little push and a little persuade to get my more unique designs out there.
That’s quite the case with the dies I’m showing today, they were put on the back burner for a couple of years and released in January 2015. Today when I surf the internet I see quite a few die designers are coming out with dies very similar to these unique elegant pocket card fronts, so it warms my heart when some of my more unique ideas take root!
Today I’m sharing a card made with Spellbinders Swirl Bliss Pocket and Spellbinders Arched Elegance Pocket. I pulled them right out of my stash today because I’m sad to say that one of them has hit the discontinue list – when it is gone, it is gone (in spite of my best pout and sad puppy dog eyes). Spellbinders Swirl Bliss Pocket is the one that is going away. I will continue to use it here, but I’ll tell you honestly, if this hasn’t hit your collection, you might want to think about it now. Why am I telling you this? Oh.my.goodness – if I had a dime for every time someone asked me to help them find a die that was no longer available…. Because so many dies are scheduled to hit the market, quite a few of mine are being retired (that retired word sounds better doesn’t it?) so going forward, I’ll identify those dies as I use them so that you can get them before they are gone…
So you see, today my card is really, really made with love – I feel like my daughter is going away to college or something and I have to lay some extra love on her, lol!! I’ve never done this before – I layered double pockets on a tall card! And, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say this, but it’s a flat card. There is no foam tape anywhere on this card! Okay, so how did it go together. First of all the card size is 4-1/4″ x 8-1/2″ . Since you would normally need 17″ paper folded in half to get the card base, I used the hinged method I developed HERE but, I constructed the pieces of the card then glued the hinge together at the end. That way I could fold the tabs for the pockets over the top edge first. No worries, I’ll explain it all here, so here we go . . .
- For my hinged base I cut a piece of card stock 4-1/4″ x 8-1/2″ and a piece 4-1/4″ x 9-1/2″ from cream card stock.
- Score the 4-1/4″ x 9-1/2″ piece 1″ from the top and fold with the 1″ flap facing up, set aside.
- I cut two of each pocket from linen card stock .
- Using the card base panel cut to 4-1/4″ x 8-1/2, I glued Arched Elegant Pocket flap even with the top and bottom of the card.
- Then I folded Swirl Bliss Pocket over the top and bottom with the flap adhered to the back of the card.
- Stamp sentiment on a cream panel cut to 2-5/8″ x 7-1/2″ – mat with your linen card stock.
- Add ribbon around front panel and insert stamped sentiment into upper and lower pockets.
- Adhere front of card to the piece previously set aside that has the 1″ flap facing up. That gives you a hinged card.
- I cut a piece of card stock equal to the size of the front panel to go on the inside of the flap to hide my ribbon.
P.S. Don’t you just love this Helen Keller sentiment?
Stamps: Inky Antics
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest – Natural White – Cover – 80lb smooth, Papertrey Ink – Antique Linen
Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink – Charcoal
Accessories: Spellbinders Swirl Bliss Pocket, Spellbinders Arched Elegance Pocket, Satin Ribbon (Gold) – The Paper Source, Recollection Pearls
I’ll be back soon!!
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Gorgeous card!
My greatest strength is thoughtfulness of others.
Hello Becca,
We are all tried and tested, and it’s only human to snap once and again. I don’t know that I have any great strength, I muddle along and do my best for my family and friends.
Maureen xxx
My greatest strength is patients.. lovely card as usual Becca. Christine S.
I think my greatest strength is my attention to detail. That attention has of benefit to me and my family many times. However, it can also be a problem because “everything has to be perfect”, which can sometimes take away from the enjoyment of things! I am working on knowing when to “let it go”!
Hi Becca
This is such a beautiful card and sentiment. Very often the gentle, quiet path is the more rewarding one. I would say that my greatest strength is my ability to just listen. A kindly ear is sometimes all it takes to really help someone.
Gentleness is a great strength and a good reminder in how to deal with people. Thank you for putting it on a beautiful card. I think my greatest strength is compassion. Comes from many years of nursing in a variety of situations. I remind myself it could be me having such a trial.
Have a wonderful weekend. We are in the midst of a snowstorm, expecting 5-10 inches heavy white stuff.
Wow! What a timely card message. Your blog is an inspiration. Hmm, I would like to believe patience is my strength. But I really need to work on it, with the grace of God, every, single, day.
Love the details and layer ‘s on your beautiful card today, Becca! I continue to enjoy and be inspired by your lovely creations using your border collection. Add in pink and I’m definitely all in on this card!
I think my greatest strength is probably patience. Not exactly sure how to explain that but it feels right. Have a wonderful weekend!
My greatest strength is the love I have for my family.
Hi Becca, beautiful card with all your lovely touches. My greatest strength is empathy and listening,have a great weekend x x x
What a beautiful card today and I love the inspiration you’ve given us with border die.
I really don’t know what my greatest strength is but what ever life throws at me I just carry on and try my best.
Pretty card today, Ms. Becca. Love the sentiment as well. I think my greatest strength is persistence. Just have to remember it can be a problem as well – there are times when one really should give in and let go.
Hope your weekend is lovely and I look forward to tomorrow’s blog post! No foolin’!
Joni
Happy Friday, Becca,
Indeed, your posts make my Fridays special! What a sweet card. As a newbie to the wonderful world of die cutting, I especially appreciate your extraordinary eye in finding harmony and balance in combining all these elements. You’re such a master teacher!
I reflected on your question of the day and it was interesting to realize that I consider my greatest strength to be my sensitivity to others (& compassion). In my younger days, I felt hurt by it and saw it as a liability. Now, I’ll reach out to others and they tell me it was at the “perfect time”. What could be better than that? To know what another needs is the very thing I can offer them. Praise God!
Such a comforting thought.I think my greatest strength is being perfectly comfortable by myself. I don’t need a lot of people around to entertain me. Love your work Becca. Always beautiful
beautiful card. love the colors and the frills and the layers and of course the sentiment. I think perseverance is my greatest strength. if it’s worth having it’s worth working for and towards. some may say stubbornness but that’s not the positive side. :)
Love your card/color combo – so elegant. My greatest strength is the strength that my dear husband gives me through his love and never ending support. Happy Friday!
Simply beautiful. My greatest strength is that I am a survivor. I have had my share of trials including breast cancer twice. I beat it both times.
Truly wondefuly made! Beautiful words . Thanks for sharing! Your number 1 Fan Bonnie
Being steadfast. Hanging there until the job is done.
Beautiful card!! My strength is putting others before myself. I always make sure everyone is ok!
Hi Becca . Your card is beautiful with a
Lovely sentiment. Like Jennie Bailey whatever life throws at me, I manage to ride the storm so perhaps perseverance or stubbornness is my strength. Look forward to your post tomorrow. Xx
Beautiful card as always Becca, my greatest strength is perseverance and loyalty .
God bless
Elaine H X
Another beautiful card Becca – love your colours, they work beautifully together.
My greatest strength is the Lord – without Him I am nothing!!
Blessings
Maxine
Compassion, i can easily make someone feel comforted and understood. Just giving a hug can sometimes help alot! I totally adore your cards! Wish I could get win one or even buy some from you!
My greatest Strength is my ability to easily understand why someone has hurt me and being so very quick to forgive them.
That and being so organized.
—
This card is such a lovely reminder to reign in hurtful words said in a moment of frustration as the results of the words can never be taken back again and the scars can last a lifetime and because of the wounds festering, it often ruins other relationships you have or will have.
—
I am so loving the scallop border! I can see this as a very frilly, lacy, ruffly card with a Cameo in the center of the Becca Bow ;)
I love this—everything about it! My greatest strength may be my warmth, which comes from truly loving others,. which comes from faith in God and Jesus Christ.
Beautiful card once again, Becca thank you. My greatest strength is being a loving, caring person.
Hi Becca very pretty card , beautiful sentiment gorgeous colours.
Its been a tough week here ! I believe my best strengths are consideration
and the ability to share. take care everyone stay safe hugs PamXXX
I think my great asset is listening and being able to see “both sides” of an argument. We have had some family problems and I am the one who is always trying to keep peace in the family and keep us close like a family. Love you beautiful card and also the sweet sentiment. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning Becca, fab card fab design!!! So sweet!!! My greatest strength I think is just being there for someone!!!
Have a good one!!!
Loopy Lyndaxxx
My greatest strength comes from the Lord. Love the card! Blessings, Lisa
Encouragement. I love the beautifully embossed pink die cut. Your card is gorgeous, and even the photo is so creative!!
This is another beautiful card.
I think my greatest strength is listening.
Beautiful card Becca! My greatest strength Isi patience. I was an elementary yea her for 36 years.
My greatest strength…is being a source of encouragement.
That is a beautiful card Becca. I like that saying,
I think I need to write it on a paper & hang it in my room.
My greatest strength according to my husband is that
I am cheerful & easy to get along with.
Myself, I think it is listen to people & not putting my 2 cent in.
Another stunning card Becca!
My greatest strength is my faith in God.
lOVE YOUR CARD TODAY, BECCA! BUT DON’T I ALWAYS SAY THAT? LOVE ALL YOUR WORK!
MY GREATEST STRENGTH COMES FROM OUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND MY COMMITTMENT THAT “HE ONLY ASKS YOU TO TAKE ON WHATEVER HE THINKS YOU CAN HANDLE.”
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, MY FRIEND!
HUGS,
ANN ROBBINS
My greatest strength is trying to make people feel good about themselves. This is a very beautiful card. I love it.
What a beautiful card as usual.Love the print base.
Beautiful card, Becca! I love the look of the scalloped border on the background paper instead of a separate border attached in white or a different color. I’ll have to remember this idea!
I guess my greatest strength is trying to find ways to compliment everyone on something good about themselves.
Beautiful card as always. I love your style. I think my greatest strength is caring.
WOW Becca, what a beautiful card!!! I really don’t know how to answer your question – what is my greatest strength??? Being alone now for 5 months since Jim winged his way to Heaven has opened my eyes to how my friends have been strong for me with all kinds of helps. It will take me a while to discover my strength or strengths as the case may be. Right now it is one day at a time and leaning on the Lord to direct my steps. Ask me that question a year from now and I might be able to answer. Currently everyone keeps saying I am very organized so that will have to be my answer for now – LOL!
Paper Hugs,
Jan
I’m a listener so I consider listening to be my greatest strength. This card is fantastic.
Becca, Beautiful card!! I just LOVE that scalloped die. Somehow I had missed it and just noticed it. I think I’m going to NEED that one! I think my greatest strength in compassion and being a great listener. Hope you are doing well!
Hi Becca. Such a pretty card. As for my greatest strength I do like to be organised. Happy weekend.
What a pretty card, Becca. Love the layers, the texture, the colors…I guess I just love everything about this one!
My greatest strength is stubbornness/determination.(Although that particular strength can be really annoying to others!!)
Such a beautiful card here as always from you Becca. Love the soft purple color to the white, it looks amazing and the sentiment is just perfect too. Love everything about it here.
Hi Becca, this is such a beautiful card and the sentiment resonates for me too! My greatest strength is love and understanding (or so I’ve been told so I open it’s true!)
Hugs x
Beautiful card, as always. My greatest strength is being a good listener.
Love everything about this card! Especially that beautiful border! My greatest strength…..hmmm, not something I typically think about. I gues I could say it’s being organized, very trustworthy, and if my friends or family need anything they know they can count on me. Thanks for the thought-provoking question! Hugs!
Dear Becca !
Ohh, how I would love to win a card of yours – and this one would be so great, – the sentiments is wonderful. You are blessed with such a variaty of “good words” sentiments, which we cannot get in Denmark. If I was lucky to win your card, I would – not being cruel – but gently pull it a bit apart without ruining it, because I would be so curious to learn from your expertice. :-))
Hmm, my strenght – I have be told, that I often make others feel good about them selves. That makes me happy. We need that – to feel so accepted and worthy among our family, friends, colleges etc. :-)
Have a wonderfull weekend every one!
Hi Becca, A very pretty and cute card.
Patience is a virtue that I wish I ‘had’, but I try my hardest to be ‘kind’ and ‘giving’.
Enjoy your weekend.
Lots of love from Patricia xx
Hi Becca,
Stunning card, love the colour and the beautiful dies you have used, that stamp really says it all. Just beautiful.
Di
I love the way you layer your cards. And that Becca bow is so awesome. Until I saw this card I never knew the Spellbinders Label 55 Decorative Element die had a heart in it.
So lovely! Your cards are so graceful and speak to ones heart! Thank you for your passion!!!
You so often just hit the right spot, Becca – and your card is lovely! We certainly need more gentleness in this troubled world. My greatest strength comes from my Christian faith – I have to try to remember that daily!
Hugs
Anne(UK) x