The Pretty Pink Grind

This is my 2nd sample of "The Grind" stamp set by Clear Dollar Stamps. It's also for this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.

The Card Details:
ALL CDSTAMPS USED: The Grind
CS and PAPERS: Light Pink Textured, Brown Textured, white
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink Walnut Stain
MARKERS (if any):Copic light pink RV10 , Prismacolor Dark Brown, Light Tan and warm grey 20%
EMBELLISHMENTS and TOOLS: Sewing Machine, Scalloped circle Nestability die, Cuttlebug tag punch, ribbon, Prima flowers, stick on pearls, sponge dauber, Basic Grey Bittersweet DP
COLORING MEDIUM (if any): none
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES (if any): sewing on card

The Card Story:
This card did not start out to be this style. In fact, it wasn't even going to really be a card. Alas, things change! This week's sample for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge was a sketch challenge. I decided this would be really cute to stamp and put that pile of coffee beans in the corner. The verse for the week was Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Interestingly, this was also the life verse that my nephew & his wife chose for their sweet daughter's baby dedication last Sunday, the same day this challenge was posted. My nephew became an ordained pastor that day, as well.

This verse is one of my all time favorites. I thought the stamp set was perfect because the grind of life can get us down. We can become so focused on this world and all the trouble we see that we forget that God does have plans for us to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. For some that might mean financial prosperity, but for all of us it is a promise of spiritual prosperity, of hope, and of knowing, no matter what this life brings us, He does know our future. One day there will be no more sorrow or tears, or grind, for those who know Jesus as Savior.

Back to the card, I used the Grinder, "Tired of the Grind?", the 3 beans and the pile of beans from this set, stamped in Memento Ink & colored with Prismacolor and Copic markers. This was my 2nd image to stamp & color. I've borrowed my mom's sewing machine (see THIS post for my first post about making quilted bags) with a million stitches. Well, nearly a million! I tried a fancy one on my first image & totally botched it, so I had to start over. I also stitched on this card first with a light pink. It was such a close match you couldn't even see the thread, so I did it again with brown. I added some Primas for the detail in the sketch and topped those with stick on pearls.

The dork in me did something really dumb while sewing today. I got my middle finger stuck under the presser foot & the needle came down on my nail. It only hurts a little where the nail fell off on the quick. I've got to keep a band aid on it so it doesn't try to tear more. THAT would hurt! So, fair warning: if you sew, keep your hands AWAY from the needle. You'd think I'd just started sewing, but I started before I was 10! Hopefully tomorrow will be less eventful of a sewing day! LOL!

I must add that the guest designer for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge is Gina K. of Gina K. Designs. I love Gina's stamps & I love all of Gina's writings. She's so personable & is such an encouraging lady. She's full of grace. A link to her store is in the sidebar.

Thanks for coming by today!

This Martha Stewart ribbon has been hanging out in