CTD246

I decided to try a color challenge new to me: The Color Throw down.
After organizing my SU! inks this weekend; I wanted to find a challenge to try out different color combinations.

I used The Cutting Garden stamp set from PTI  and the colors above in the challenge, except Certain Celery ink substituted for Pear Pizzazz ink. Frosted stickles were added for sparkle. The card was inspired by another one viewed on a sketch challenge.
Thank you for looking!

Flourishes Textures of Nature Challenge FLLCJUNE13

This week summer hit my home state of Colorado with nary a Popsicle in sight...hot and windy with two days of record setting temperatures. Being outdoors right now is not something I want to do until around 9 o'clock in the evenings. Sun and dry temperatures have started another string of wild fires, none of which are near us, thankfully!
So it is good weather to stay indoors and play along with this month's new release Challenge at Flourishes: Textures of Nature.

My card used designer paper for the flowers in the corner and the library card...it is all one piece. The stamp of the little girl watering the flowers was added to the paper.  The sentiment and stamp are Flourishes, the touch of nature is the wood grain designer paper and the wood butterfly which I accented with three tiny rhinestones. The gorgeous ribbon is hand dyed and a gift from my dear friend, Diane Noble.
I have been doing a lot of watering our flowering pots this week...and I have one pot of basil that I hope to see flourish a lot soon!
Speaking of nature,right out the back door of my parent's home in Grand Junction (the western slope of Colorado) is the Colorado National Monument. You can see some of these rock formations as you look from their yard. My girls went hiking there the weekend of my Mom's memorial service at the house.

Sister solidarity!! I love this picture. Our daughter, Caitlyn, on the right...just moved to Saratoga Springs, New York two days ago. I miss her already. Our youngest, Erin and I plan to visit her in two short weeks.
Thanks for popping in...always appreciate hearing from you and what is new in your corner of the world.

Do Not Fear!

I have made a small stamping goal for myself: and that is to break out some sets that have not been used much or at all...I sometimes purchase these in a fit of giddy excitement when I see a new release and all the DT's designs...then by the time they arrive at my door; I've usually moved on to something different and don't remember what I originally saw that had me so excited. Kind of like a little kid at Christmas I guess.
So, I have made it a point this past week to go back and look at some of the original DT's samples, and began with making a similar card and then branching out once I became more familiar with the set. Baby steps for now.
So here is one that was on the PTI board using "Everyday Blessings" and "Life." I am slightly enamored with these floral images and enjoying experimenting still with some different colors. I used the spritzing technique for the floral and stamped on watercolor paper.

The floral were done in regal rose and orange and the stems in mellow moss. Double stamped on to another   green card stock and trimmed with banner edging and overlaid the words as you can see to bring more attention to that phrase.
This verse has really spoken to me, as I was stamping, I also meditated on these words and prayed for those in my life right now that need a big dose of courage and trust in the Lord. I hope this card encourages you.
I read this today and wanted to remember it...as I am still in mourning over my Mom's death. So many times, when someone dies, everyone is afraid to mention their name as they don't want to make you cry or uncomfortable. I have made it a point to remember my Mom out loud in front of family and if I cry, I cry...but each time I do it lessens my grief somewhat and brings honor to her memory.
" The mention of my mother's name may bring tears to my eyes, but it never fails to bring music to my ears. If you are really my friend, please don't keep me from hearing the beautiful music. It soothes my broken and heart and fills my soul with love."

CASEing, Take One and Two!

So what do you do when life has put you on a bit of stamping "hold" and you miss it but have no idea how to get back into it? Like most of you, I head over to my Pinterest stamping boards and find a card that speaks to me and looks somewhat attainable to my skill level and then CASE! I do try to remember to go back on their blog and leave a comment, too!
So this first card is my attempt inspired by one I fell in love with from Silke Ledlow's blog, "My Life." This is another stamp set that hadn't seen much ink yet, Papertrey Ink "Life," and the sentiment is PTI Mega Giga Guidelines.

I always love Silke's use of white space, design, and scored backgrounds. The only change I made to her original card is the addition of the crochet lace and ink colors. Inks used: Poppy Parade, Regal Rose and Pool Party.
So with that card done, I became more adventurous and tried out another combination of inks and changed up the top corner a bit...

Inks used: SU! Cameo Coral, Island Indigo, and Baja Breeze.
And then I wanted to add a faith sentiment  to my card but use the same PTI Life background floral. This card's scripture is from the PTI "Everyday Blessings" set.

The above card was made by using my favorite technique, spritzing an inked stamp and stamping on watercolor paper...the paper has a lot of texture and softens the images. I added a jeweled rhinestone for a little sparkle and interest. Colors: Island Indigo and Sahara Sand, and the sentiment stamped in Memento Cocoa ink.
Before I was done, I had six cards created...all from one design with slight variations. When my husband came up it was a bit past dinner time, the ink pads were all stacked in a colorful array on my desk, and like a little kid, I proudly showed him my "Just Because" cards and said, "I can send this to anybody, just because." To which he replied. "That's good. Now I am going to go heat up some dinner...Just Because...I am hungry." And then we both chuckled...
Guess my experimentation went a little long...but it was refreshing to my spirit to see all the rainbows of colors and inks. Therapeutic and not a time waster at all!
Hope to see you soon...thanks so much for dropping in!

CAS(E) this Sketch!

I have been on a CAS spree this past weekend...making several cards and having fun trying out ink color combinations. I saw this sketch challenge on a friend's blog and decided to try out this sketch to move the process along:

I needed a little boy's birthday card...and realized I have no little kiddo stamps. I guess that is because I don't have any little kiddos in my life...my daughter needs to get married and fix that! :) But anyways, I had ordered this Stylish Sentiments Birthday set from Papertrey Ink and found one of the stamps in the set  works well for a child's card. So thanks to the sketch inspiration and a few banners from the MME Six by Six paper collection, and one single Bobunny brad with a star (thanks to a gift from a friend,) I was able to make this card:

And like the card says, "Yay!" I made a card! Thanks for looking...this is not  my usual style, but I really like the design...the repeated star from the brad and border on the right to carry out the celebratory theme!
And it was pretty easy...the hardest part was picking out the color scheme and papers!

Just a Little Hi!

Hi there stamping friends! I made this card awhile ago...it is an adorable Stampavie image that I had only inked up once before. I combined it with these pretty blue papers and a PTI blooms die for this card creation. I had not used my copics in so long, was a little nervous, but I like the way the little mouse turned out...what do you think? This was meant to go to my Mom; I made it ahead of my visit and planned to put it in the mail as soon as I returned home as she always loved little critter cards and I know this would have given her such a smile in the happy blues and yellows! Now I will probably use it for an encouragement card for someone who just needs a little cheer.

Thanks so much for the sweet comments, encouraging cards and thoughts. And thanks so much for stopping in...hope this little guy brings you a smile!

I'm entering this in the WAW (Word Art Wednesday) Challenge...you may use any "family friendly" card and this fits! The girls there always have beautiful scripture and designs...hopefully I can add a couple of scripture cards soon!

When a loved One Dies

When a loved one dies...I have had quite a few loved members of my family pass on in my lifetime...so the experience of grief is not new.  Yet with each one, depending on the person's role in my life, their age, the expectancy of their death, etc...the way I have experienced loss has been very different.
My Mom, who was and is still very dear to me, went to be with The Lord on April 14. I have so many mixed emotions involving her death. During the past year and a half, it has been beyond difficult, the waiting day to day, the worry from being so far away. I spent a lot of time just pleading with God to give me the "right" time to go and see her. My main concern was that she did not die alone, and that she would know the important role she had in my life. Yet I was afraid to say anything to her that might lead her to feel an obligation to stay...so any words I said had a finality to them and were absent of my impending loss or emptiness. I arrived on Mom's birthday and spent three days just visiting. When she would say that the doctors told her she only had a few days left, my answer was, well, Mom, only The Lord knows how many days you have left. And by the third time she told me this, as she was lying in her bed at night, and I answered the same way, she said in her weak but resolved voice, "That is right. And I may just surprise everyone...I may just continue to live; God may heal me...and then everyone would know the power of The Lord." That's the spirit, Mom...and I hope to always remember her words of faith on her last night on Earth.
Well, The Lord answered all my prayers. I was right by my Mom's bedside the day she died, holding her hand, getting her ice chips, moving her from side to side for her to be comfortable...bringing her coffee in bed as she missed her morning cup that day. Even after we knew she was comatose...I kept holding her hand and whispering words of assurance and scripture when it came to mind, or part of a hymn. It struck me that being with someone when they are dying is a lot like being with someone when they are giving birth...only the rebirth is to a heavenly realm and not an earthly one. There was no special sign when Mom left us, no eyes opening or talk of angels, but I knew they were all around us because of the peace and joy I felt.
 The night before, I had laid in the bed next to her for a little while to just be with her and talk. The hospice nurse had told me the day before that she was glad I was there and urged me to say my "last words." I looked at her and smiled and said, "I already have. I tell her every time I am with her and she knows how much I love her." Yet that last night, we just talked of little things...nothing of huge significance...but at the end of our conversation, I felt compelled to say, "Mom, I am so blessed to have you to talk to my whole life." And she answered that she was so blessed to have me to talk to...and I realize now that is what I will be missing most. Knowing where she is has brought me so much comfort, and knowing how God remembered my prayers and allowed me to be with her spoke to me of His great care and concern.
I have heard people say, life goes on...in response to a loved one dying. I always thought that was an unkind thing to say...for the person that is still here...life does go on, yes. But it is not the same. I wrote a tribute to my Mom that my husband read at her Memorial which we held for a small group of family, friends and hospice workers at their home. I'll be sharing that in my next entry.
Thank you for sharing with me in my joy and my sorrow.

Flourishes May Challenge FLLCMAY13

It is another Flourishes challenge using the color photo as your guide. I chose three colors, the coral, pink, and Kraft. This is a card made from one I viewed on Pinterest as my inspiration. Thank you for looking.
I have another post tomorrow that is personal in nature, and explains my absence on my blog. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Flourishes FLLCMAR13 Second Entry

Please see my previous blog post for details on this card using two blues and a pop of yellow for Flourishes March Spring release challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Flourishes FLLCMAR13 Colorful Creations Challenge

Good morning! Just a quick post...with the hopeful advent of spring; this photo challenge is a welcome change, and I am excited to be joining in Flourishes stamp challenge to use two blues and a pop of yellow!

I made several cards and am sharing two today using one of my newest Flourishes stamps, "Just my Type."

This springy card uses one of the four inspirational typesets in the set along with the "Color made Easy" ribbon and paper in yellows. I love yellow and have been trying different yellows from other stamping companies, and have to say, I love the yellows in the "Color made Easy" pack and the silky ribbon is so easy to work with and so light!

And here is my second card using the two blues and a pop of yellow challenge. The background paper and matching satin ribbon is "Enchanted Evening" from Papertrey Ink. The "other blue" is the DP blue striped background.  I love this color combination; what a mood brightener. It almost makes me want to do a bathroom in blues and yellows...hmmm...
Both sets use "Just my Type" from Flourishes...one of my favorite stamp companies. This challenge prize is the newest release of stamps, and the deadline is this Friday. So if you want to join in, their is still time.
Thanks for stopping in...we have sunshine today, but the only flowers that will be blooming for quite some time here in Colorado are on my cards!! Wishing you a blessed day.~

Major Meanderings

Life is full of changes...you hear that often, and some days when you are in the midst of  mundane routine, life seems to move slowly, and you inwardly wish for change.  Sometimes change is good; but I find that to be true when it is elective change. Being on the receiving end of others' decisions that not only involve change for them, but my life also affected in a cataclysmic way is not good. At least it doesn't feel that way to me.
In the past month or so life has felt like a slow-moving tailspin. The kind of sensation which I experienced recently, plunked into the passenger seat while my youngest daughter navigated my jeep down an icy road. Down an icy road, ice covering snow, that hydroplaning that happens when the wheels don't quite touch pavement and that little pocket of air is all that exists between your life as you know it or panic. The seconds of holding your breath as the car spins...assessing the situation in a millisecond, calmly telling your daughter what not to do...do not brake...stay calm, stay calm...
Let's see now...in the last few months...my husband quit his job. A big job. He retired for "long enough to rearrange his sock drawer," and then he started on as a President of a start-up tech company. Which everyone knows means nothing. The company could stay, it could go, and it all depends on too many things which I know nothing about. What I do know is that means any plans for a move or long trip are temporarily put on hold. Temporary meaning four years or tomorrow.
My Mom's health is changing. So is my Dad's. I get emergency calls from caregivers, quick trips over mountain passes sometimes covered in snow...decisions made and decisions reversed by others who do not know better. It is frustrating, and at times heartbreaking. But the thing is...you have to be there...so you realign your life and you set your priorities and you stop all that you were doing before, and you sit and wait for you do not know what...the call in the night, the update from the hospice nurse...a text that waits a week to reach you while you hold your breath once more.
Our youngest daughter finds her dream place in the city. She has lived in our town since fifth grade. Do not feel sorry for me...we have been blessed as parents. Yes, my nest has been empty. She elected to live in the dorms, then a condo with her older sister. But graduating college and starting off on her career path, living in the same college town was just not hip anymore. So she packed her belongings and we hauled. And I cleaned. And cleaned. And cleaned the condo that had not been empty for at least six years and had seen many room mates come and go. And as I scrubbed, I was able to let go of some of the sadness that she would not be living close by anymore.
Our oldest daughter announced she was going to move to New York. But that one is still a little ways out on the horizon.
Changes in friendships, group bonds formed over time and given a year or more to develop suddenly stopped because those leading them felt they could no longer. And there was no one to step up and take the place.
Change in church. A pastor let go because of a sin committed that left many of us reeling...the impact of sin leaving it's imprint on everyone and the question of how to move on in forgiveness and grace and yet to continue to trust.
So when life changes seem to be coming hard and fast and there does not feel adequate time to gain traction and equilibrium...what do you do?
For me, I stop. I slow down. I listen to His spirit, guiding me through his word, and to books that seem to be speaking to me and encouraging me. One I am reading and gaining so much insight from is "Dancing with my Father," by Sally Clarkson.
 I give. I give my time away...doing for others because it is always a blessing to help when you know that you are making a tiny difference in a young mother's day by taking her child to the pet store and the car wash and out to eat.
I wait...to hear His voice directing me which way to go. Which also involves prayer and rest.
And I reassess what I am doing. My stamping is again on a leave of absence. I am not on any teams, so have no obligations...for now I will stamp when I need a card or am inspired to try something new.
This blog was initially named "Major Moments," because my life is busy and my interests are varied and I do not want to dedicate my blog solely to one thing.
I am taking a class tomorrow. I am stretching myself to try something new...this time with Annie Sloan's chalk paint. So tomorrow I will be surrounded by pretty colored paints rather than inks and my pallet will be wood rather than paper. I am ready for a change. And in this case, change is good!

Vintage Challenge from Flourishes

I am home again...and I don't even have my bags unpacked. But a little unwinding was in order, so I found one of my favorite stamp challenges by Flourishes, and spent an afternoon fashioning a card. This week's Timeless Tuesday Challenge #205 was to create a vintage card. I have had this set for a long time, and still had not used it. A little intimidated by the coloring, but the copics came out and I am so happy with the way it turned out.

I used some lacy nestabilities, beautifully hand dyed ribbon from my friend, Diane Noble, a prima rose and blush pearls from Kaisercraft. I used quite a few copics for shading and antiqued the paper with some Tim Holtz Ink. The challenge was to create a "Vintage" card, and I think these colors and stamp accomplish that.

Thanks so much for your visit today...blessings on your day!

Valentine Printables~PInk and Black

View of Printable with simple black matting cardstock.

Good morning, friends! Here is the third in a series of cards I crafted using the Daydream Designs "Sending You Love" digital printables. I decided to take the printable and cut it and mat on black cardstock, but the design is such that you can just print them on cardstock, and have an entire card, front and beautiful inside sentiment with just a couple of cuts and fold. I added some pink stickles to the flower and focal heart!

 I love having the inside done for me. So many times I will have a card made ahead of time, then when it is time to send, (could be months later;)  I have to cut and add a lighter cardstock to add a message. This is so easy...and will certainly help me send out encouraging Valentine's to friends and family. You can find these and many other beautiful new releases at Daydream Designs store!

Daydream Designs~Sending you Love

Hi there sweet friends! I am writing this post on the afternoon before leaving to my parent's home. This is quite an involved trip, over a couple of mountain passes, and the forecast is snow!
But, thanks to Daydream Designs new printables, I had time to make 4 cards! Normally I would not even attempt a card the day before a big trip...packing, baking cookies, errands, cleaning, laundry...etc...but these only took a few minutes, literally to make. So today I am showing you two of my cards made from the "Sending You Love Printables 1" set.

This looks pretty 3-dimensional, doesn't it? All of the layers are printed out for you...so all I did was print, mat my layer on a SU! Pool Party and Regal Rose card stocks. Then I added a regal rose twill bow tied in a simple knot, some pink cotton candy stickles around the chalkboard (although the second matted layer looks sparkly, I did not add stickles to that...it just prints that way!!) Then I wanted the cherry to pop even more, so I added some SU! Crystal Effects and a bit more stickles to the cupcake swirls. Easy!

Here is another printable from the same "Sending You Love Printables 1" Set at Daydream Designs store! Again, all the matting and layering are done for you...all I did was mat on a basic black and textured deep red from my stash, then I added a small acrylic circle to the heart "brad," and a few tiny rhinestones to the ticket and script, and a simple knotted gingham bow. This card is a large 5 1/2 inch square...so it makes a bold statement. Surely this would work for a man or woman...I have yet to decide!

I have prescheduled posts this week because I do not know how long I will be gone. My Mom, in the advanced stages of Multiple Sclerosis, has been having a lot of difficulty swallowing for over a month and has lost a lot of weight to her already thin frame. She is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, January 30th, to hopefully stretch her throat to allow food to pass more easily. I have been so emotional this past week...one of those trips that I am not looking forward to; but it is necessary to be there and hopefully offer some comfort and encouragement. I know the Lord will go before me and He already knows the outcome, so I am placing my trembling hand in His...and trusting in His care for all of us. Thank you so much in advance for your friendship, concern, and prayers.

I Heart Puppies...Valentine's Day!

I'm having so much fun with the adorable images  in the Snow baby Love digital sets from Daydream Designs store. (You can click on the button on the sidebar to take you directly to the store.) This puppy was combined with two papers from the "Love Me True " Digital Paper Pack. A pretty simple layout shows off the red and white color scheme so true to Valentine's Day! This card will go to one of my puppy loving family members, probably our youngest daughter, Erin. She wants a puppy so badly, but she keeps hoping I will get one so that she can just come over and puppy sit, since she works as a full time professional and can't really take the puppy to work. I keep reminding her I already have one (very old and very needy dog,) and one that I take care of a lot...so that makes two. Although getting a puppy has been on my mind a lot lately, too. I know after so many years of dog ownership, what a big responsibility they are and how much time they take especially at the puppy and elder puppy stage!! So will probably wait a bit longer. Sending you puppy love...thanks for stopping in for a visit!

Fashionably Pink!

Every once in awhile, I style a card around a piece of paper...this dressmaker image was a free digital image from Diane Noble of the Daydream Designs store given awhile ago. I had this flowery paper and fine pink tulle, a hat pin with pearls and clear pink beads, prima roses...all fashioned together for a pretty "just because" card...my favorite one to give or receive. 

If you check my last post, there is a great free image available, so hope you will take advantage of it!!

Thanks for stopping by, and your sweet comments are always a bright spot to my day!

Daydream Designs Blog "Hearts" Hop and Free Digis!!

Welcome to the January Blog Hop for Daydream Designs featuring this month's theme, "hearts!!"  The Daydreamers team has been busy creating with the latest new releases at Daydream Designs Store for this month's hop!!

 Growing up, Valentine's Day was probably my favorite holiday, next to Christmas. Even at a young age, I sensed that Valentine's Day was not merely for the romantic boy-girl love, not just that cute boy in class...I poured my "heart" into every Valentine for all my classmates, teacher, parents, etc... and loved crafting my own boxes with doilies, crepe paper, and ruffled eyelet or whatever scraps we had around. Fingers stuck together with glue...yep, not much has changed since then!!

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for two adorable digis..your gift just for stopping in today!

This card shows the versatility of the new set, "Sending you Love." Not just for Valentine's Day, but offering encouragement and friendship...This and the coordinating papers and colored digitals can be found here. This sweet as can be set features so many images I adore...this umbrella was paired with just one of the arched sentiments available in this set. Little birdies, postcards, hearts, posies...there is Everything to love in this set! I used one sheet of printed off paper from the "Love Me Tender" Digi Paper Pack and paired it with a some hand dyed seam binding from a friend, and a lil button and twine.

Don't you just love these two adorable puppies? These images are from the "Snowbaby Love Color Digi Pack." I used this paper from the "Love Me True" Digi color paper pack...I like the graphics and the way it showcases the main images...wrapped in Scalloped Nestability hearts finished off with a button and red twine. The heart was hand cut and glittered a bit. So many friends and family I know love puppies...so this set is just perfect for me! How about you?

Okay...so here are the details...you can hop along with the rest of the design team...leave a little comment on our blogs letting us know you were here...and a randomly chosen winner will have the choice of any digi sets worth a 20.00 value!! What fun!!

You have until January 23 to complete the hop.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing some love with me.

Diane       


Amy

Beth

Debbie

Helen

Jenn

Jerusha

Karen

Kris

MariLynn

Michelle

Miesje

Sandie

Stephanie

Traci (You are Here)

Vicki

The Free Digis Have Now Expired! Thanks for visiting!

Christmas All Year Long!

For those of us that were feeling a bit behind the Christmas Card production last year...or you are like me and always get in the stamping swing a wee bit too late...there is a monthly Christmas card challenge on the Fan Club Forum at Splitcoast Stampers. This month's challenge is "Wedding~use something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue."

I used Flourishes stamps for this stocking template card. The ribbon and heart were "borrowed" from another card.
I had a lot of fun making this card using the stocking template!! And if I am able to find this card by next Christmas, I will be ready!!
Thank you for coming by today!

Winter Solitude

We had a freshly fallen snow this morning...putting me in a dreamy mood and not wanting to get out of my pajamas. I am dwelling as long as I can in the solitude, reeling in the urges to move on to the next big holiday or event...just enjoying the moment for today. This set from Papertrey Ink, "In the Meadow" was paired with a rustic woods papers to make what I hope is a suitable birthday card for my Dad.

I think he will enjoy this winter scene and it is the first time I have made the gate fold...opening up into a pretty inside accompanying sentiment. Or should I say "handsome," since this is supposed to be a "guy" card?

My Dad has a birthday the day after mine...which has always made it easy to remember!
I decided, I really like this fold, I enjoy being able to use some of the coordinating paper to add some visual interest to the inside.
Thanks for stopping by...wishing you winter solitude this week.

Erin in Ireland

This is my beautiful daughter, Erin. This photograph was taken last year while she was studying for a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain. During those short six months, she managed to visit several countries, booking a late night plane ticket on a Thursday and spending a weekend here or there. This was taken in Ireland, where exactly, I will have to ask her again. She said it was the most beautiful spot ever. And here she is, holding a lamb. This picture melts my heart. I just had to share it. Thanks for stopping in...

Snow Baby Love!!

Hi there, friends, and Happy New Year!! I feel like I've been away so long! We just got home a few days ago from our "cabin-condo" in Steamboat Springs. This was our first Christmas spent there, and the first time we had guests staying with us for Christmas and the week after.  Everyone wanted to enjoy all the fresh powder on the slopes (that is except for me, the only one who does not ski.) We had 23 inches while there, which made the family, especially my husband, happy! Steamboat Springs is famous for it's "champagne powder," a light airy snow that is perfect for skiing! And we had a lot of that!
While there, we had our daughter's Lab mix dog, Daisy. Daisy is full of personality and loves the snow! I wanted to share a picture here, the one taken over our winter holiday, and the side by side of her after she returned home back to the normal routine. Does anyone else feel this way after Christmas??!

She's our big Snow Baby!!

Do you see her grinning in the first shot? Oh, she makes me laugh!! She loves the snow!! My husband would take her up one of the hills by our place, all uphill, and she would just run and leap into the snow!
And she is the inspiration for the next few cards I will be sharing from Daydream Designs, Snowbaby Love, an adorable new release that showcases puppies, snow, hearts,and sweet little girl images.

I used the Love Bingo cards and the Snow baby Love color digis for this card. The embossing folder is a Marianne's Designs.

And because I didn't want to stop stamping...here is another card made with the same set and the snow baby love sentiments...the inside of the card contains the rest of the phrase, "And love makes it all worthwhile."
I love this little girl pulling the puppy on the sled, and accented her already colored outfit with coral polka dot papers and a snippet of paper in one of the snow baby digi paper packs.
There are so many images in these sets...I will have a few more to share soon featuring a Valentine's theme.
Take a look at Daydream Designs store; (you can click on my link or on the sidebar) and  you can have these sets in an instant and get going on your stamping. So much fun!!
Thanks for stopping in and sharing in one of my fondest memories of this Christmas. I may have to share a couple more photos; it was a very memorable time.

When He Comes

Christ came the first time as an infant, born in time and space, small and weak. He will return as the everlasting King, great in strength and glory.
When He came the first time, His glory was shrouded and concealed from human view; when He comes the second time, His glory will shine brightly. His first coming was obscure, witnessed by a few poor shepherds and the like. Few recognized who He was. At His second coming, every eye will see Him and all will know who He is.
He came the first time as the Lamb of God; when He returns , it will be as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At His first coming, He was judged and condemned to die by sinful men; when He returns , it will be as the Judge, to execute justice and judgment on all who have refused to repent of their sins.
When He came the first time, only a few bowed to pay Him homage; when He returns, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The first time, He washed the feet of the disciples; when He returns, all His enemies will be under His feet.
The first time He came, He wore a crown of thorns; when He returns, He will be crowned with many crowns, the King upon His throne. He came the first time to make peace between God and man; when He returns, it will be to make war on those who have rebelled against Him.
He came the first time as our suffering Savior, He will return as our sovereign, reigning Lord.
Hallelujah! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Excerpt from the book: The Quiet Place. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Stockings were hung...

One of the many things I love about this time of year, celebrating Christmas, are the Christmas cards and letters received from family, friends, and many of them stampers, just like you! This stocking was completely CASED by my friend, Dawn Burnworth, who is so ultra talented, especially when it comes to coloring images. I used a stocking card she sent as color inspiration for this card/ornament and as a template!  I have not colored in oh so long with copics...so it always helps to have a guide. I did not post a picture of Dawn's card today...I may wait until I have a few and post them all together. But this one is being mailed out so I thought I'd better take a picture before it goes in the mail. I used white prisma pencil to add a very rudimentary stocking stitch on the toe and heel...and also use it to highlight the stockings a bit. That is a little helpful hint I learned once upon a time.

I will be back before Christmas...may you take time to breathe, enjoy the special sounds, sights, and aromas of this wonderful season where we anticipate celebrating the Lord's birth and soon return!