Snow Kissed Stocking~

Hi friends! Just a quick post here. These past few days the South and East were hit by unprecedented snow...in places like Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, Alabama, and such! Which makes this post even more newsworthy as we live in Colorado...and no snow in sight! We've had 60 degree weather, setting records and actually...I am kind of glad. Because I am planning on a drive over the mountain passes to see my elderly Dad. It's a trip I've often had to cancel as the roads can be bad. And I'm planning on leaving in just a few days. So...here is my nod to snow...
I saw this pretty Christmas~y paper, "Birds and Berries," on Stacy's blog and really loved it. So I bought it...the only purchase of paper I've made for Christmas.
I used the Power Poppy newly released set , "Snow Kissed." It has some darling images! I made this stocking late at night...deciding to stamp it directly on the pink designer paper...and didn't really love it at first. I almost threw it out...but then decided to fussy cut it and added some glitter...and then figured out a die cut to make it stand out a bit more. Now...I really like it...whew! I really don't like to throw things out.

The image was stamped in Momento Gray which gave it a very soft feel. Colored with copic makers...then used ovals and two pieces of the pretty designer paper to mat. A gold tinsel bow was added to the top. The glitter added a lot...but you can't see it too well in this photo! Also, each of the ovals and the stocking were mounted in dimensional tape...so there is a lot of depth to this card!
Thanks so much for stopping in! Do you have any snow in your part of the country?

Christmas Cookie Envelope~ or Something Else!

Hi there! I have another quick post today with yet another Power Poppy Twelve Days of Christmas Challenges! Power Poppy Bloom Brigade, Cindy Lawrence, has a really neat tutorial on the Power Poppy blog and a template for making a Christmas Cookie Envelope.
If you scroll down, you can see all the projects from the Design Team...so many pretty projects!
So...I already had this pretty pink envelope which was the start of my inspiration. And  I had already made this pretty poinsettia using dies and then sprinkling with chunky glass glitter. And so I went a bit more elegant in presentation using a (retired) Flourishes stamp also designed by Marcella Hawley. I've collected her stamps for many years now!

 I made a belly band enclosure to go around the envelope and adhered ribbon, then
the poinsettia, and lastly tucked in these pretty sprigs die cut in vellum.
I'm not sure what I will put inside, maybe a special letter or flat ornament ,a CD...so many possibilities...but no cookie because this is too fancy for that! :)
Okay, back to projects...if you're like me there is a lot to keep you busy! As Always, thanks so much for popping in!

Power Poppy Altered Object

Hi friends!  I have a lot of things I should be doing...but for some reason I keep getting drawn to my stamp room with paper and glitter flying everywhere. I've been joining in when I can to Power Poppy's 12 Days of Christmas!
Today I'm entering the "Altered Object" from Stacy! You can view all the challenges here.  Stacy had darling glitter paper covered tins...which reminded me I still have a few of those in my craft closet. The one I don't like to open the door because all the not so pretty things come falling down on me...those ugly and plain items that just need a little paper and die cuts and ribbon and bows...well...I digress.
I went with a masculine theme because this is actually for my little brother. I wanted to use the deer in the "Wreaths Plain and Fancy." I also used some prancing deer designer paper.

I made two tags, the smaller one with the reindeer white embossed, then the larger tag with the sentiment copper embossed. They look pretty neat layered with the little deer dangling down. I had to lie this flat to photo...which is why the dimensions may look a little off.
Now I just need to figure out what to put in it!!

Power Poppy Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Bags!!

Just a quick post! I'm so smitten with Tosh's gift bag on the Power Poppy Blog!

She challenged us to make a gift bag.
I didn't use her tutorial to cover the top of the bag which is such a neat idea because I wanted to use some polka dot tissue ...but I did use Tosh's ideas of layering paper and making a border around the top of the bag! I layered on some pretty ruffled red gingham and striped aqua ribbon around the top of the kraft bag and some oh so cute designer paper to frame the center which is a tiny little church I colored to match the paper. The sentiment on the tag and the church are from Power Poppy's set, "Wreaths Plain and Fancy." Of course I had to add some fancy diecut snowflakes and glitter to all the snowflakes, fence, church and tiny trees!
This was definitely not something I've attempted...but am happy with the customized bag for a friend that loves red and aqua and will get a thrill out of this, I hope! Inside is a pretty frosted candle for her home.
Thanks for looking!

Christmas~Making a Scene

I have been busily stamping for the week up until this past week. Then suddenly, everything had to come to a halt...as our Beulah had to have her TPLO (Taibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy) surgery. This type of surgery is done after a torn, or in our dog's case, a partial tear of the cruiate ligament (ACL) in dogs to stabilize the joint.  We had tried everything to avoid that, including a month long rehabilitation at our Colorado State University Vet Hospital. But we went in this Tuesday for a meeting and the outcome was next day surgery. Not what you want to do the month of December for sure...or any time! But,she is doing pretty well, very sedated and still limping. I won't post a picture just yet as it isn't pretty. But she is tolerating her cone much better than the last time she had surgery. I just feel so badly as animals don't understand and I wonder if she feels somehow betrayed by us.
Which is why I have to get lost in stamping once in awhile. It is a wonderful escape...especially with the scenes you can make with this new to me stamp set by Papertrey Ink. I spent a lot of time one day just stamping out all the components of the two houses and one church in the set...along with fences, mailboxes, snowy trees! This particular scene was one I pretty much copied from Mary Beth. You can find her inspirational blog here.
My brother is a postal carrier...so I wanted to use the mailbox and added a pretty red cardinal perched on the top!

I had a lot of fun making this card! The trees are all different shades of green...the roof has a snowy glittered cap on top...and a few snow drifts make it even more idyllic. The sentiment color is muted, keeping with the dreamy scene. I love the white linen card stock PTI carries...it has a wonderful subtle texture.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back sharing some of the cards I've been making soon!

November Power and Spark Challenge~Portion Control!

Hi again! My, but this isn't the most timeliest of challenges with our typical American Thanksgiving Day just around the corner with a lot of feasting and celebration going on! I am actually going to attempt to bake two desserts ahead of time and freeze them! That's because I don't like standing for hours on my hard kitchen floor and this way I can make as much ahead of time. But I also am wanting to try making small bars rather than pies...because if your family is anything like ours, no one can have just one dessert. The polite thing to do, I guess, is try one of everything. Aha! So this year, I'm going to be ready for the buffet line and make small bars to go on plates rather than your standard pie size. Think it'll work? Well, I'll let you know!
Sorry to get off on a tangent...what has me thinking "portion control" is this week's Power Poppy challenge by the Bloom Brigade, Cindy Lawrence, to practice "portion control" in your card making. I took out my very favorite Christmas stamp, "Heaven and Nature Sing," and just started playing around with it.  What I ended up with is the rose image stamped and white embossed in all four corners...and then I did the same with the holly image in this set on the tag. I don't recall that I've used this Spellbinders Die before...but the card turned out very pretty and very large. And it actually made me a bit dizzy with all the swirls and flourishes....What do you think?
It was really fun to see my stamps differently and find a new way to use this set and also be happy with the outcome!

I used silver glitter paper for the tag, and threaded two ribbons, a dark pink and white on top of each other and threaded those through the tag.

Here's a close up of the center panels:

This card brings back a memory...as do so may cards I make. Isn't it funny how our creativity so often comes from long ago memories filed away from childhood, or travel, or ??  Once I finished this and examined it closely...I realized I had first seen this color combination as a child when I'd been taken Christmas shopping by my Mom. I stood behind the gift wrap counter (in those days they had several samples of wrapped packages on the wall,) and thought as a young girl that I'd never seen anything more fancy and beautiful than  the bright pink package with silver ribbon and was so bedazzled by it. I don't recall if we took that package all wrapped up home with us, or even what the gift inside might have been...but that memory came flooding back when I saw my finished card.
Thanks so much for looking, and have a blessed day!

Create Along With Us~November 2017

Just a quick post today...sharing a card inspired by this month's Papertrey Ink release from Betsy Veldman of the Design Team. The Create Along with Us November 2017 had so many beautiful card designs.

I was inspired by the cut out window and the white winter background. I went to bed with visions of this card...but since I did not have any of the dies...I used this winter die from last year and made my own scene with critters from the In the Meadow Set.

Since the scene is so white...it doesn't have the best photograph...but I am happy with the outcome...A deer, bunny and birds nestled on the branches with a light blue background and snowflakes. The snowflakes in the upper left are PTI felt, a blue glitter, and white layered up...all to hide a sentiment that went slightly askew...

Thanks for looking! And thanks to Betsy Veldman for so much inspiration!

A Cup of Cheer!

Good morning! We had a fresh batch of snowfall this week and it left such a dreamy effect on the Evergreens in our neighborhood. It is true that a fresh white coating of snow puts me in the thinking ahead to Christmas mode. I opted not to start the Christmas cookie baking...because as it is just my husband and I at home...it's a dangerous situation. Somehow even if the cookies are baked and stored up tight in our deep freeze in the garage...my little feet go pitter patter all the way to the freezing cold freezer and find a way to defrost them and make them all nice and soft and warm and into my tummy. It sounds cute when you're a toddler...but a woman my age doesn't need that kind of temptation. So I settled for a cute card with the hint of a cookie to go with this Christmas-y pot of Coffee and teacups all stacked up on a lacey table cloth.
I just love this stamp and have a few different ideas in my head. Here's what I came up with after much dilly dallying and moving things around.

I invested in the matching dies to the set from Papertrey Ink, "A Cup of Cheer" which made it so much easier to arrange. Here I used a teacup die and the newest release of "Bitty Big" paper in Pinefeather for the teacup and then a border in the same paper. I also used two other stamp sets, one for the steam from the "Winter Village" set and the heart stamped onto the green mug is from another set, "Fair Isle Motifs."
I'm hoping to come up with a design that is cute and not too time consuming to use as an invitation for a Christmas brunch.
I love to hear your thoughts and appreciate your visit. This time I can invite you to share a cup with me...what will it be for you~coffee or tea?

Altenew Florals ~ Couldn't stop at just One!

This will be a quick post with more photos than text...I have a wedding to go to this afternoon! This is the second wedding of my nieces and nephews in a matter of months. I don't know my nephew's fiance very well...but wanted to welcome her into the family with a handmade card.

This new to me stamp by Altenew, Painted Flowers, was very fun to stamp. I tried different color combinations and sentiments. Well, I'll just let you see.

The first one is the wedding card. I used Gold Mirror card stock for the border, and embossed in gold. Also, a bit of glitter on all the floral, which unfortunately didn't capture in any of the photos today. 

This looks lopsided...but the sentiment and border are straight...just the camera angle.

Then, because I always need a "Just because" card...I chose this sentiment with softer pink floral. I am a bit smitten with this one. What do you think?

This one would make a cheerful "Get Well" or just a "Thinking of you" card. I used a sentiment from Papertrey Ink die, layered a sparkly blue with a black backdrop...then used two of the strips from trimming my card as border strips. 

So...that's it for my color explorations in my new Altenew stamp set. I really love this one...although it took a bit of time to figure out which stamps layer and just how...but once I did...it was really fun! 

Thank you for your visit...and wishing you blessings on your day!

Make it Monday #301~Matting with Glitter

So, I have a confession to make. Glitter kind of scares me...it tends to fly away when I'm using it into all kinds of unwanted spaces. But this week's Make it Monday challenge helped me overcome and try it again. And the outcome is so pretty!
I used some Peel n Stick which helped a lot...as well as the video shared on the Papertrey Ink's website!
I used Martha Stewart's crystal fine glitter to mat the tulips and then matted those on a piece of designer vellum. The tulips are also popped up...making this a pretty dimensional card.
Thanks for taking a gander!

And here is a close up to hopefully see the sparkle a bit better:

The bow is a die that was cut with silver sparkly paper...a whole lot of sparkle going on. This is for a friend's birthday who loves these colors and lots of bling!
Wishing you blessings on your day!

Power Poppy Challenge ~Mini and Mighty

October's Power Poppy Challenge is from Stacy to create a small card...think under 4 inches!~I decided to create a few tiny cards to be sent out to my Book Club. The entire card is only 3 inches. And since there is a book in the stack, it will be a cute reminder for the gals...or just a fun note to place at each table setting.

I chose this little cutie from the stamp set, "Short Stacks."  Rather than coloring up 6 of these...I took the fast route and just water colored a blue wash and embossed the image in a zesty coral color. Then just layered them up and added some striped twine along each side.

So cute...and these images are so detailed...they look great embossed!
Thanks for popping in and thanks to Stacy of the Power Poppy Bloom Brigade for the fun challenge this month!

Maximizing Joy

We all have seasons of life, don't we? Honestly...this has been a very difficult season for our family, and for myself personally. I would like to be able to claim that I have just glided through the hard times with great triumph and no hindering worries or thoughts of, what if, or why now? But I am finding at every turn of unknown...there is always a promise of the one who Knows All Things! I am thankful that I don't have to know what's around the bend. He's already there.
This verse has been reverberating through my head. I love how the Lord brings scripture to mind when we need it most. I wanted to maximize the scripture on this card by minimizing the decor elements...just a bit of shimmer in the card stock.

I wanted to try out a new product given to me by my dear friend, Peggysue. It is Nuvo Tonic Gilding Flakes. She had warned me that these flakes were very prone to "blowing in the wind..." but what I didn't realize is how they stick to every thing...including my fingers.
I used the Papertrey Ink's Psalms scripture and gilded the vines on each side. The scripture itself was embossed with gold powder. The gilding flakes was a mixture of gold and copper. It gives a very pretty raised effect with more texture than regular embossing. A Swiffer sheet works well to burnish the metallic into the card stock and also cleaning up.
I used Shimmer paper in copper and black for this card also.
I am still learning...and God is always teaching me...the best way to move beyond our troubles or heartache is to keep our focus on what God has already accomplished...the gifts He has given us...and the faithfulness He has shown. He truly has done Great things for us!!

PTI Make it Monday ~Sentiment Window

Well, it's about time I showed up here! We've had very wonky weather...yesterday it was a very bitter cold with heavy wet snow and a hard freeze overnight. So I took some time out to stamp~
I am joining in the fun at Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday Challenge to make a Sentiment Window! Dawn McVey showed an excellent video tutorial and it was so helpful for me!
I chose to use the "new to me" stamp set, "Stylized Autumn." I also purchased the accompanying die set as I could foresee many felt flowers in my future!

Isn't this fox the cutest? I used the smallest accent floral to highlight the inside sentiment, dotting the centers with a glitter pen. The floral are stacked PTI felt. They make a great little accent without being too difficult to mail!
Thanks for dropping in and taking a look here! Blessings on your day~

Papertrey Ink September Blog Hop

Hi everyone! Thanks for popping in to my blog...we are having a great "rainy day~stamping day" here and I am playing with this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.
The month of September's inspiration photo is:

This really does capture your attention with the bold graphics, rich hues and black backdrop doesn't it? I searched my birdie stamps and this is what I came up with. I used a gold mirror card stock for the leaves to give it some pop and the colors from the floral on the birds.

This stamp , "Song Birds,"doesn't get nearly enough attention! I have a dear friend with a birthday soon and I will be ready! My card is a five inch square to give enough room for both birds and branches. I had stamped more flowers but decided to leave the front alone and use them for the inside.
I look forward to hopping along and seeing everyone's card creations! Have a blessed day!

Cozy Kraft Challenge~!

Just popping in with this month's submission for Power Poppy's Cozy Krafty Challenge!  Power Poppy bloomie challenged us to use Kraft card stock on our cards.

My card was actually water colored on Kraft paper! I didn't think it would be easy, but it was...maybe not as much shading as I might normally accomplish...but the sturdiness of the paper held up very well and I really like the vibrant shades. I added some of the copper paint highlights on the center of the sunflowers in this "Sunny Harvest" set and a tiny bit of white micron pen dots in the centers and some of the blossoms.  The fence is a metal piece that I bought awhile ago...it added the perfect bit of interest.

The scripture verse is from a set I've had from Our Daily Bread Designs; one of my favorites. 

Thank you so much for your visit! 

Mighty Oak~Turning Leaves

Hi friends! I am kind of smitten with the PTI set, "Mighty Oak." It is one of the few sets I purchased the accompanying dies as you have all these individual leaves that pop out and you can stamp them in any color you choose, and there are a variety of stamps to add some cool pattern.

For this, I used the PTI website for inspiration and used a wood grain cover plate background to give it some subtle texture. Then went to town stamping leaves and added the sentiment on the bottom and some rustic twine to finish it off. 

The dies were cut twice, once with a brown polka dot (used for the tree's trunk,) and then again with the embossed white paper.  This card has so much fun texture and color...it doesn't need much embellishing! 

Thanks for your visit...I am about to get ready for our neighborhood picnic. I just found out that we are supposed to bring a dessert. Hmmmm...good thing I have our favorite oatmeal cookie dough all rolled into little dough balls in the freezer ready for baking. But too bad I have to share! 

Power Poppy Mix and Match Stamp Challenge!

Just squeaking in a Power Poppy challenge for the last of the month! This past month has been a humdinger...I am surprised I was able to get any stamping in, honestly...but it is such good therapy and I had these beautiful stamps to work with from Power Poppy!
The challenge for August is to mix and match stamps...my main floral image is from the "Prairie Cheer" set, and the sentiment is from the "Olive and Oak."

Talk about a cheerful image...maybe that is why Marcella named it "Prairie Cheer!" I added some dots in blues and greens, a few blue sequins and tiny blue rhinestones, a plethora of dies and some designer paper to make this card...and I do like how it turned out.
I usually have to color an image, have it set out awhile on my desk next to some papers and after awhile (not often, but sometimes,) a layout comes to me. This was not a fast card but fun for sure!
Thanks for stopping in and have a happy day! As for me...I am awaiting the cooler temps of Fall!

Playing with Papertrey Ink

Today I am sharing a card I made inspired by the release a couple of month's back that I am just getting a chance to try out. This card is a CASE from a Make it Monday on watercolored stencils featured in April. Since it was almost exactly the same card, I did not enter it into the challenge...but it is one of my very favorites just the same. Here is Betsy Veldman's card here...and the tutorial on the Papertrey Ink website.

My card uses a stenciled water color background from Tim Holtz along with two sets, "Pen and Ink," and "Gran's Garden." 

The sentiment was stamped on vellum and embossed in white...then the spray of flowers added to the base and a small vellum butterfly to the top of the die.

This sentiment reminds me of the Bible verse:

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

~Lamentations 3:22-23

I'm so grateful for God's mercies over me and all of us. His help is only an earnest call of repentance away and we can know with assurance that He hears based on His name and will answer our prayers according to His will. 

Thank you so much for your visit and I always enjoy reading your comments. Have a blessed day!

Howdy Friend~It's been Awhile!

Well, friends, it's been awhile. Summer heat got the best of me and zapped me! But I'm back today because I couldn't let the hottest month of the year go by without finding a splash of cool relief by participating in the refreshing Power and Spark July challenge!

I adore all the Power Poppy Bloomies and their card creations always delight and inspire and motivate me to get out my stamps! But for today's card, I was drawn to Christine's card here.

I fell in love with her coloring of the bird, but didn't have all the necessary supplies to copy; however I had a vision of yellow and polka dots in my head. 

My card uses the same stamp, "Folk Heart" with the same colors on this adorable feathered bird of good tidings...I obviously changed the layout and used patterned paper and a bit of yellow polka dot washi tape and made a double banner with the sweet sentiment greeting. 

I added a bit of Wink of Stella pen for some glitter on the blooms and berries...and white gel pen for the polka dots on the red jacket...and then I called it finished. I really adore this cheerful card and many thanks to Christine for her inspiration!

Thanks so much for popping in and wishing you a joy-filled day! 

Mustard Seed Faith Challenge~ Joy!

Hi and welcome to a new challenge at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges!
This week our Mustard Seed Faith Challenge Team Member, Nancy Nickel of The Nickel Nook (link on my sidebar) is doing a short and powerful devotional on Joy! The challenge is taken from this verse:



“Consider it pure JOY, my brothers and sisters, 

whenever you face trials of many kinds…”
James 1:2 NIV

I don't think this verse challenge could have come in a more timely manner; as the past couple of months have had untold trials of many kinds...as in all kinds...all at the same time. I can honestly say my joy has not only worn thin, but worn out...as troubles increase.  Sometimes, most of the time, my inclination is to name off all my trials and then wonder how much more can I take? When I am tempted to do this...I begin to ask God; what are you trying to do? Or specifically, what do you want me to do? Sometimes, our trials are just a part of living, ...but often times, our trials are God getting our attention and shifting our focus off of our  "momentary light affliction." and onto the "producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Knowing our trials are not wasted, but always sifted through God's loving fingers makes the trial bearable when we look at it from God's perspective. 

One of my favorite ways to overcome discouragement is by being a blessing to someone else. The act alone shifts the focus from me to someone else and it does bring me joy! I enjoy doing it...even if the person I am doing it for doesn't respond...it is in the blessing that I am blessed in return.  This card will go to someone who I hope will be encouraged by reading it. 

My card today uses a diecut from Papertrey Ink, first cut out...then each petal was watercolored using Zig Markers in a variety of pastels. I glued it to my base, then added a little shimmer with a Wink of Stella Pen. The sentiment is stamped in two shades of Ink to give a bit of shadow. Lastly, tiny pearls were added to a few of the petal centers.

I hope you will join us for this fun challenge! Head over to the Mustard Seed Faith blog and see what it's all about and also see all kinds of pretty cards! Can't wait to see what you make!

Make it Monday #287 Baby Wipe Backgrounds!

Hi there! Just quickly sharing a card I made for the oh so fun Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge! This week is Baby Wipe Inking Backgrounds...a fun and easy tutorial to follow featuring using a baby wipe to make a background for your cards.
I attempted rolling my baby wipe to make a rosebud as shown in one of the examples. I used an old SU! reinker and found some matching paper in the pretty blue. I also used a polka dot from "Polka Dot Basics."I made a quick tag and used a sentiment from the "Choose Joy" set. The leaf was taken from another set which I can't recall, but so many of the PTI sets have leafs that could be used.
Easy and fun! I didn't want to hide the background, so I just ran some black gingham ribbon along the side and added a tag for interest.

Thanks so much for popping in! Have a wonderful week!

Mustard Seed Faith Challenges~Birdie Blessings!

Hi and welcome to this week's Mustard Seed Faith Challenge! I can't tell you how much this challenge has blessed me...every two weeks we have a new devotional along with a stamping challenge for beginners to advanced stampers and Bible journalers. I have so enjoyed seeing the  participation we've had as there are all kinds of talented people and I am treated to beauty and scriptures and encouragement everywhere I look!
This challenge is by one of our Design Team Members, Tracey Fehr. If you have not seen her blog, Today's Beautiful Moments, you are in for a real treat! But first, hop on over to our Mustard Seed Faith Challenge blog and read her devotional taken from a favorite Christian song and be blessed!!

My card was designed using a new stamp set from Papertrey Ink and coordinating dies, "Nesting." I also used a wood grained embossing folder. Pretty simple, but sweet, I think! Of course, once I added the bow it looks a little lopsided...but the bow looks a little more proportioned in real life.
I do hope you will join us for our challenge over the next two weeks!
Thank you so much for your kind comments and brightening my day with your visit! Have a wonderful week!

Power Poppy Challenge~ Frame It Up!

Hi and welcome to my blog!
Today I am sharing a couple of framed water colored blooms I made for this month's Power Poppy Challenge~"Frame It Up!"
Both use one of Marcella's images from Flourishes, Lenten Rose.  I wanted some practice water coloring. I am definitely still a beginner; but I love the look!

I think this one, in a variety of  amethysts and purples is my favorite. I framed it very simply and just used a few pearls for embellishment.

I wasn't as happy with the actual coloring of this one; it became muddied after too much work trying to apply layers of color. So I stopped (good idea!) and then went over some of the blooms with prisma pencils for shading. I also used a sweet bow to "frame" the image...kind of a fun look and adds a bit of whimsy!

Thanks so much for looking and always look forward to your comments! Have a blessed day!

Mustard Faith Challenge~Friendship

If you knew me well or even just a little bit; you would know the value I place on my women's friendships and cultivating relationships that grow stronger in the Lord and closer to each other through women's times of fellowship and prayer. I never set a goal to do this...but it was necessitated through my own loneliness after moving many times while being a stay at home mom and finding church ministries somewhat lacking in providing an atmosphere where true friendship can flourish.
Over the past five to seven years...I began looking for concrete ways to invest in the women God brought into my life and find deeper levels of living our lives transparent and sharing authentically our real needs, hopes, and dreams.
I believe the process of developing friendships is so important...and for me it has been a lifeline through many difficulties and life stages I have gone through. The women in my groups have echoed this same sentiment back to me...how important our times are together. I could possibly write a short essay on the who's, why's, where's and how if you are looking to develop something more meaningful than the light chatter that occurs when women gather...but I think the most important first is to let God choose your friends. He will and He has for me. The saying goes that we choose our friends...but in my life that hasn't been the case. I ask God to help me have eyes to see the woman who needs a listening ear, a friendly smile, an invitation for coffee...and I take a deep breath, overcome my own timidity,and reach out to them. God has always been faithful to guide me.
And then...after reaching out to one or two...the circle broadens to 3 or 4 and God begins to weave hearts and stories and prayers together and you have a bond of Sisters in Christ!  I began inviting a group of 4 women over for Bible study in my home over six years ago, then prayer, sometimes a spontaneous brunch or coffee...and over time it has turned into a Book Club with new members able to join. Our group changes depending on our current needs...but now, if one of us doesn't initiate within two weeks, someone else will. Our time is that important.
One of my favorite ways to spend times with a friend is over coffee at a local shop. We meet, I order the strongest Americano with lots of cream while my friends have Chai tea...and I may have a pastry too...and we just enjoy sharing...it may be our most recent vacation, the way God answered prayer, something exciting happening in our lives, a decision we need to make...but my heart just brims over with gratitude that I have my friends.
I've made wonderful friends over connecting through stamping also...and when I am able to meet a friend I've only known over the Internet...it is so heartwarming. I think friendship has to be one of God's greatest gifts.
I know that God is the one who can choose our friends because He alone knows our futures and who we need to walk this earthly walk with...and He is so faithful to provide others along the way that can call from ahead and encourage me on! He also uses us to encourage the young mothers on or the ones with the rebellious teenager, or ill parent.
And so often, when I've felt the Lord's nudging to befriend someone and pursue them as God would pursue us...I find that I am the one who is blessed in the end.
Whatever gifts you may have, stamping and card making, a favorite other hobby like knitting, cooking, baking, letter writing, or a vacation  home getaway you can share with others...reach out and be generous to others with your time, talents, gifts, hospitality and cultivate friendships!
And let's not forget...God gave us a friend in Jesus. One who never leaves our side, who is always steadfast,who is there to pray to while  reading and studying His word, the Bible. He loves us, is tender towards us as a Mom is with her own child. He is the greatest friend and the one from whom all other gifts flow!!

My card was made with a Simon Says Card Kit (available a few months ago.) Since it had these darling cup and saucers and "coffee and friends" sentiments I knew it would be the perfect set for a quick, cute card! The cup and saucer were paper pieced, and the little journal card carafe and mug and heart are 3 D stickers. Too cute! I need to get this one in the mail!
Thanks for your visit! Please don't forget to visit our main blog on Mustard Seed Faith Challenges and we hope you will join us for this bi-weekly challenge. Our challenge is based on God's faithfulness to us as believers based on the book of Hosea.  This time we are to make a card celebrating friendship or other union like anniversary or wedding! I can't  wait to see your entries on the blog at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges!

Mustard Seed Faith Challenge~Psalms

Hi and welcome back to my blog; this week featuring Mustard Seed Faith Challenges and the book of Psalms!  The Psalms contain prayers, petitions, thanksgivings, supplications, appeals for deliverance and help and many other poetic writings. The words were written with the purpose of being set to music with stringed instruments such as the harp, lyre, and lute.
Our challenge at Mustard Seed Faith is to make a baby card as the Psalms are like God's soothing lullaby to us.
We are also asked to choose one of our favorites to focus on and share with our cards. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 91...also featured on my last card entry on the front.
Another, Psalm 139, speaks to me especially when it comes to anxiety and soothing and these are just some of the excerpts. I would encourage you to read the entire Psalm.
"O Lord...Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?...If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast..."

This Psalm would make a wonderful bedtime prayer and praise, wouldn't it?
I have my verse written out in chalk on a chalkboard to see when I awake at night with any anxious thoughts...it is always good to read God's word aloud and pray over it!
So for my card...my niece just had her first baby ...a boy...so I made this card to celebrate the new life with my niece and her husband.

I have had this stamp image from Lili of the Valley for quite some time...it is so adorable when colored in! I had a lot of fun with this card...adding the yellow gingham, buttons, and scalloped notecard die! It makes me wish I had more babies to fashion cards for!
Thanks so much for your visit today! I invite you to join in the challenge and visit our blog for a short devotional and to see all the fabulous Mustard Seed Faith Design Team creations!

Mustard Seed Challenges ~New Challenge!

Hi and welcome to our Mustard Seed Faith Challenges blog with a new challenge this week! Once again, Peggysue is sharing a new challenge and this time it is a sketch! So hop on over to our blog and be inspired by a beautiful worship song that celebrates our Lord as creator.
One of my favorite things to do while I stamp is listen to praise music, either instrumentals or with choruses...depending on how hard I am trying to concentrate. I find it uplifting to my soul and spirit, don't you?

We are figuring out some of this as we go along...but wanted to share a sketch challenge this week based on the above photo. You can view all of our interpretations by visiting our blog! Nothing like a sketch to get you thinking outside of the typical box, don't you think?

I used a die cut as the oval for my interpretation, and a birds nest to resemble the circle, and the scripture, which is one of my favorites, as the sentiment.
This was a lot of fun to do...the bird's nest was actually an after thought, after stamping the verse and thinking I would use the nest as a corner embellishment; then realizing it was far too big...I then stamped over the embossed image and of course, it didn't show up very well...so I colored it in lightly with copic cmarkers.
The little bird was stamped and the little eye added with a micron pen, cut out and I added a couple of layers of the Ranger Glossy accents for stability, then a little twine to resemble the nest.
Card Recipe:
Paper: Papertrey Ink white, Retired designer paper (SU!)
Stamps: Scripture from Papertrey Ink, Bird (Nesting,) Papertrey Ink, Nest (Spring Has Sprung)retired illustrated by Marcella Hawley
Accessories: Die, foam mounting tape, twine, Glossy Accents, copic markers
Thank you for your visit...I hope you can play along in our challenge over the next two weeks, and enjoy hopping to our design team blogs.
Just start here and you can see the entire team's cards and the praise song featured this week!
Your kind comments are always appreciated...my heart does a little leap when I see a comment was added in my inbox...so thank you!

Lovely Day Card and Parrot Tulips in my Garden~

I've mentioned several times that I purchased the loveliest bag of tulip bulbs last October and my husband and I actually planted them! We have a deck outside of our kitchen that overlooks a sloped hill covered in river rock, small rock, Aspens and shrubs. I have wanted some color there for awhile...but always forgot about spring flowers until it was spring and then it was too late to plant.
So here are a couple of  photographs of our daffodils and tulips.

They are good and strong and bright yellow...and look dramatic against the rock and mulch. Bringing me much happiness as I look out my kitchen window.

These tulips started out white, and their color has deepened to a very dark pink striation as they have matured. This is from the top of the stairs and at the bottom of our little slope you can see the Aspens and the bird bath and feeders. We have three clusters of these and I hope to plant more in the Fall.

And another spring inspired card using designer paper and matching the tulips from Papertrey Ink with inks...a bit of washi tape on the side, copic colored pearls and a scalloped border. I was pretty pleased with incorporating stamps using designer paper as I usually find it to be challenging.
Thanks for taking a meander and wishing you a lovely day!!

Birthday card for Caitlyn

This month's Power and Spark Challenge is a fun one from Julie Koerber, Pick-a-Sketch! As you can see in the graphic above, there are three to choose from. I decided on the oval with the side panel. I wanted to make our daughter a birthday card for her big 3-0 and we won't say how old that makes me!! Why is it, as I am aging now...I feel younger, yet when I was that age, I felt older? The older I get, the younger my mind seems to be...it is very strange. I feel more like dancing, daring, artful, happy, and yet...I also sit in my recliner a lot in the evenings.

Anyway, that was just a side tangent...we will see her when she returns from Cuba on a 4 day birthday trip adventure her and her younger sister are taking this week. I don't have much to wrap or do since we will be eating out...maybe I'll bring a boquet of these flowers to go with her card...that would be fun!

The stamp I used is a retired Flourishes illustrated by Marcella Hawley (now Power Poppy.) I think she has one like this in her store though. I water colored these with bright vivid colors using zig markers. The oval was almost too big, but I didn't want to cut off a single bloom. I layered a blue tonal polkadot paper and stamped a smaller version in versamark on the soft blue on the other side panel. The bow and button and twine were added, along with a sweet tag and flower jewel. The Gerber daisies were all crowned with Wink of Stella pen clear glitter and it looks so much prettier in person.

 I also used my white signo gel pen to add accents to the flower centers and petals.  I hope this is one she enjoys!

The tag sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Make It Market Mini Kit "Bloom and Grow."

Thanks so much for popping in...your kind comments and wishing you a happy day full of spring flowers and sunshine! Or rain...we are having that here and it is so needed...and it is making me happy because our flowers need some rain to grow!

Mustard Seed Faith Challenge~Traveling Mercies

Hi friends!

Happy Resurrection Day!  I've been celebrating Easter for the past few entries...but I wanted to wish you a joyous Easter celebration!

Thanks so much for stopping in on my little piece of blog land! Today we are sharing a devotional on the term many Christians use "traveling mercies." Where did the term originate and what does it mean for believers?
I know when one of our daughters boards a plane for Taiwan or Cuba or any other number of places where they are alone in a distant country without any family or nearby help...I tend to worry and ask for prayer from my praying friends for safety on the flight, that the plane will not disappear mid-air or that my daughters won't be abducted by sex traffickers or get lost...or the list goes on. I think all these concerns are valid while traveling to far away countries, especially if those countries are ruled by corrupt dictators...but our prayers for "travel mercies" do extend beyond the far off travel and protection for our family members or ourselves. I would encourage you to "take a trip"

to our Mustard Seed Faith Challenges blog and read a few words of wisdom on the subject!
Our challenge over the next two weeks is make a card using a mode of travel (boat, car, bicycle, map, etc...)
How about hot air balloons? I have not been in one before, but I've seen a few in the sky and they are so brightly colored and festive...not sure if I'd rather see a balloon all inflated mid air or the landscape all small from the air...hmmm...let me think on that awhile! :)

Stamps: PTI Up Up and Away
Paper:  PTI white, SU! Soft Sky and black, DSP: Lili of the Valley (clouds)
Accessories: PTI cloud die, balloon die, washi tape (floral bottom strip), rhinestones

The washi tape strip at the bottom was a last minute decision as I felt it needed some color to balance the balloons...I kind of like it!
Would love for you to join in on our challenges this week at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges!
Thanks for stopping in and your comments are always read and appreciated.

Happy Spring!

We've had some nice warm sun-shiney days around here followed by much needed rain to green things up! It is too early to do any kind of planting, but the daffodil and parrot tulip bulbs we planted last Fall along the side of our house did their happy emergence and are still alive and looking lovely!
The blooms are a sure reminder that even in the dreariest of winters; Spring will arrive again and bring with it beauty, color, new life, and the promise of the resurrection as the seeds lie dormant over winter.
"Earth, teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring."~William Alexander

My card, which uses a retired stamp (initially Flourishes illustrated by Marcella Hawley) captures my heart and the joy of Spring! I love this image, the bird and flowers rejoicing...these were colored with copics and flourishes from another stamp were added as symbols of joy at the top rather than a sky.
The tag has a heart cut out that frames one of the flowers.
 I leave you with these words from the Bible

His going forth is as certain as the dawn, and He will come to us like the spring rain watering the Earth. ~Hosea 6:8

Thank you for stopping in and wishing you blessings on your day!

Mustard Seed Faith Challenge~Easter!

Welcome to the second challenge at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges!
You can find our challenge Here!
 We are looking forward to celebrating Easter early to give everyone an opportunity to actually make a card and give it away or mail it out before Easter.
Our scripture for this challenge:
John 11:25-26
"Jesus said to her, :I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Our challenge: Make a card with an Easter theme!
(project,scrapbook page, Bible journal page; all are good!)

My Easter card is  made using a Power Poppy digital image, "Joyful Lilies"  The image was colored with copic markers, coloring and shading just like the Lily I've seen and I wanted to color it in these vibrant pink shades to contrast with the cross. I cut out the image by hand (fussy cut) and once colored, mounted it on the embossed die cut. The tag is a separate sentiment and the inside has the scripture included. Lace, twine and pearls finish it off.

This verse is also part of the Power Poppy digital, "Joyful Lilies." I used a vine and berry from Papertrey Ink's "Joyful Garden" set to add some color to the corners.

This scripture is so thought provoking and wonderful and encouraging...

One of the wonderful benefits of making cards with scripture is the opportunity to think about what you are making, meditating on the scripture here and the meaning behind it...even the name of the stamp, Joyful Lilies! How can we, if we believe,not have incredible joy while considering Jesus' love that meant his willingness to give his life...on a cross...so that we could live with him forever!! It is such an amazing event in history that should radically change the way we view our momentary troubles and trials...knowing that life is so short compared to eternity!
I encourage you to visit Mustard Seed Faith challenges and read the short devotional by Peggysue, as I am sure you will be blessed!
Then be sure to make a card or project and add it to the link on the blog. We on the team look forward to seeing your creations!!

Sing to the Lord!

I have been anticipating Spring since last winter...more this year than any other. It doesn't take much convincing in the middle of winter, amidst a lot of dreariness, the angst of our sweet dog, Beulah, having to undergo major surgery, the loss of my husband's dear Dad and the family monarch, and scary news headlines and political madness...
I needed Spring and the promise of new life, color, beauty, and reminder that God is on his throne and always making all things new again!
We planted spring bulbs for the first time since living in our home...and a few are beginning to make an appearance which I will share very soon since right now we are experiencing much needed rain. (And it is a little wet to be out taking photographs!)
I ordered this stamp from Papertrey Ink's February release and decided to pair it up with this SU! DSP (retired.)

So I made a set of note cards...pretty quick and simple! I colored in the font lines with several copics, added the musical notes, and some pretty yellow sequins for added interest.
I can't think of a better scripture to herald Spring and all the promise scripture gives us!!
I will be back tomorrow for our second Mustard Seed Faith Challenge so hope to have you visit soon!

Springtime in Paris

Just popping in on a lovely spring day! Yesterday heralded the first day of Spring; and unbelievably, our Colorado weather actually cooperated. We will probably have one or two more snow storms...but the past few days have been unseasonably warm...and our first springtime bulbs are popping up! We don't have tulips yet...but when we do I will be sure to add a picture here!
Meanwhile, I have been having fun with these pretty tulips from "Tulip Time," from Papertrey Ink. I wanted to try them out with some designer paper...because I have a bunch of it...and I love it...but find it a challenge sometimes to make a card with it. I decided to "ground" the tulips with some strips of varying paper and have them sprouting skyward.  This is a layered tulip set, so you can use different colored inks to achieve the color shading. No coloring...so pretty quick and easy!
Thanks so much for stopping in and hoping you are having a blessed day...no matter your weather!

First Ever ~ Mustard Seed Faith Challenge!!

Hi and welcome to the first Mustard Seed Faith Challenge! I am excited about this new team of talented ladies who love stamping as a creative art; but more importantly, they view their craft as a way to share their faith in Jesus!
I've had the opportunity to work with the founder of our blog, Peggysue, and know you will be encouraged and challenged as you read her words here today on our new blog, Mustard Seed Faith!
Please pay her a visit so you can learn more about our key verse, our mission, and our bi-weekly card/Bible journaling challenges!
Our first challenge is taken from the verse Matthew 17:20, which is our key verse for our blog.

"He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." 

The challenge is easy...use the color gold or yellow (like the mustard seed) in the making of your card and project.

I wanted to make something cheerful, joyful, and also a bit like spring! I always love seeing these primroses blooming this time of year...their blooms remind me of cheerful Easter bonnets, and they exude joy! 

Stamps: Power Poppy Potted Primroses

Paper: PTI white, DSP (assorted)

Ink:  Memento Black for coloring; Versafine Black: sentiment

Accessories: Spellbinder dies, copic markers, pearl (colored to match with copic marker),burlap ribbon,  foam for popping up card

 ( close up view) 

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope your weather is showing signs of new life...and I hope you visit our new blog and join us in card making!!