Thankful for Farmers!

Here is my September Crafters of Faith card.  This is a great group that my friend Kelly started on SCS. This is our 33rd month, so we are well into year #3. Jeanette gave everyone this challenge: 

Scripture: All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. (John 1:3,

Challenge: Include something on your card (or other project) that you are especially thankful that God created.

I knew that I wanted to highlight something from my past and I took out a favorite image of a farm house, windmill and shed.  This image reminds me of a farm and I am so thankful for farmers!  I was raised on a farm and would not trade that in for one minute!  I am so thankful for the hardworking farmers and their families, who work 24/7, rarely get a vacation or even a day off, toil in the fields and with their animals, for every one of us to have food on our table.  I am sad for the hard times they are currently living and grieve for all of the suicides that have occurred.  God Bless The Farms and Farmers!

I used my Zig Watercolor Brush Markers to color this image.  I wanted a bit of a distressed look on the weathered buildings.  I added some barbed-wire twill as my embellishment.

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Jeanette along the others from the Crafters of Faith group like my card this month!  We are to post between the 7th and 10th of each month, so if you look on my sidebar, you may see other creations.  I know that there will be many posted in the COF thread on SCS too! Kim is up for our October challenge, so be sure to check back to see what I create!

Image/Sentiment: River City Rubber Works Farmhouse with Windmill

Cardstock/Patterned Papers:  Stampin' Up Watercolor Paper, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Basic Black

Ink:  Tsukineko Versafine Clair Nocturine

Accessories:  Zig Watercolor Brush Markers; Barbed-wire Twill

Ready - Set - Go!

Today is the third Wednesday of the month and that means a Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 Musketeers (Jeanette, Kelly and me) are back with another challenge this month--our 12th month!  We just finished our first year--so look out year #2!

Jeanette provided the challenge for April: April 18th is an important day. It is the day that my maternal grandfather was born.  Oliver Guy Fredrick Hess.  April 18, 1909 - May 11, 1988.  Even though he's been gone for nearly 30 years, my Grandfather's memory continues to impact my family. He was an honest man of great morals. He was hardworking (and believed in work before play). He was a man who loved his family dearly. He could play the piano by ear (but only when wearing work gloves) and he was an amazing storyteller. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without my Grandpa in it.  In honor of this pillar in my family, here is my Ready Set Go! challenge...

Choose an ancestor (it can be any of your ancestors... but maybe - just maybe - you'd like to choose the one who's birthday is closest to April 18th) and create a card that in some way reflects that person. Here are some suggestions to ponder when creating your card (in case you're stumped and need a jump start): his/her favorite color, his/her career choice, his/her favorite beverage or food, his/her heritage, a lesson he/she taught you... or something totally different.  And please be sure to tell us a little bit about the relative you chose when you share your card.  Ready? Set. Go!

I picked a farm image in honor of my dad--Anton Deichl, Sr.  He was born in Germany on July 4, 1906 and came to the US in his early 20's.  He first settled in Chicago, where he met my mom and they lived until the late 40's, raising two children there.  He always wanted to farm, as did his family and my mom's family, in Germany--she too was born there and came to the US in her 20's.  Their hometown's in Germany were about 50 miles apart and they met in Chicago!  They bought a farm in central Wisconsin, about 2 hours north of Chicago.  He was a very successful dairy farmer and I have always said, they needed a farmhand, and had me!  Yes, I am the youngest, 18 and 20 years, younger than my brother and sister--my parent's second family!  He was a dairy farmer and had some of the best crops year after year in the area! He too was a hard worker as was my mom.  They loved being outside in the fields--rain or shine, hot or cold, any day of the year--and rarely taking any type of a vacation or day off!   My dad stopped milking cows when I left for college, but he continued to raise beef cows and farm the land.  Both of my parents died at age 83 and both were still living on their farm when they passed.  My dad was still "farming" until the end of his time and we sold all of the cattle after he passed, but my mom still lived in the house for another 4 years.  

It is my honor to make a card with a farm scene--and a windmill, which was on our farm.  I decided this image needed to be watercolored, so I took out my new set of Derwent Inktense Ink pencils.  Since my fellow 2 Musketeers were at my house in January and we had my friend Kathy come and teach us some of her watercolor tips, it seemed perfect to use them on this card!  

Here is the inside of my card:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too!  Kelly is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in May! I am sure it will be a fun challenge!

Image/Sentiment: Farm River City Rubber Works Farmhouse with Windmill/ Gina K Designs Scripty Sayings 2

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Watercolor Paper; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Early Espresso; Creative Imaginations Barbed Wire Patterned Paper 

Ink:  Stazon Black

Accessories:  Fiber; Black Pearls; Derwent Inktense Ink Pencils

Another Graduation Card

This card is for the monthly swap that Pam hosts on SCS.  Each month we make 10 cards and include a matching envelope.  They can be any theme for any month.  All of the swappers are wonderful and I have received awesome cards each and every month.  

I recently made fancy fold graduation card and thought I should made another!

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Pam and the others swappers like my card this month!

Image/Sentiment:  River City Rubber Works-Mortar Board and PSX Congratulations Graduate

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock:  Recollections White; Stampin' Up Basic Black; Shiny Gold Cardstock-unknown company; Reminisce--The Graduate Patterned Paper

Accessories:  SU Gold Brads; Gold Shear Ribbon

Our Loved Ones Shine Down

 

This is the second of two cards I made for Deena's Get Well-Sympathy swap on SCS.  As Deena noted--we all need these cards, but many times they are hard to make at the time.  So, it will be good to have some on hand.  This is a great sentiment for a Sympathy Card.

Here is the inside of my card:

 

Image/Sentiment—River City Rubber Works-no name on the stamp

Cardstock—Gina K Ivory; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, Always Artichoke; October Afternoon Campfire-Tent Trailer Patterned Paper

Ink--SU Always Artichoke

Accessories--SU So Saffron Ribbon

Matilda Louise

Here is the second of the two swap cards that I made for Fran’s Off Their Rockers Swap on SCS.   Fran challenged us to ink up some of our comical “Seniors” or Golden Oldies” stamps.    I have a few favorites that I use when making an “oldie” card and this is one of them!

Image—River City Rubber Works-Matilda Louise; Sentiment-Crackerbox Palace-O Lord

Cardstock—Gina K White, Black and Red Hot; Paper Inspirations Polka Dots Designer Series Paper

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories—Copic Marker; Black Stitched Ribbon; Punches

Silly Sassy Seniors Card Swap--Oh Lord........

This is the second of the two cards that I made for Kristyn’s Silly Sassy Seniors Swap.  I have had this stamp for a bit and have not inked it up.  I added some red to the flowers in her hat for some added interest.

Image/Sentiment— River City Rubber Works-Matilda Louise, Crackerbox Palace--O Lord

Cardstock—Gina K Black, White and Red Hot

Ink—Stampin’ Up Real Red

Accessories—Copics; Red/Black Ribbon; Black Brads; Nesties; Sizzix Tim Holtz Retro Circles Embossing Folder