Bee Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Jan!!!

I am participating in a Blog Hop for Flourishes' leading lady, based on this photo:

I took the red and added a bit of blue~it's such a winning combo!

Here's hoping you have a blessed day Jan!

stamp: Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags sentiment

ink: Memento Ink Teal Zeal

dies: Samantha Walker Flower Layers (Silhouette Cameo)

other: EK Success Retro Flower Edger Punch, Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) Journal Card,Heidi Swapp Memory File Color Label

Praying for You & Me

It's one of those days~

yuck.

No reason....

just yuck.

My grandma would call me on days like this...when the Lord laid on her heart that I needed encouragement and prayer.

That was really special...and it was when long distance calls actually COST YOU SOMETHING.

May I be used by God to do the same!

Runway Inspired #30

I am intrigued by bold, graphic patterns mingled with soft florals...I am seeing that more and more~there is something so....

relevant about that.

Harsh realities softened by bits of loveliness and hope.

I am also inspired by the

CASE Study Challenge #128

based on a pretty card by Teri Anderson.

I like the blues and yellows she combined, and the patterned background which adds interest.

Also, she included lots of fun embellishments...I've only included a few...but it's more than I usually pile on a card.

I'm patting my shoulder...I'm proud of using up these beautiful die pieces.

Ok, now I am less yuck...a bit of creating and prayer can really lift my mood!!!

Hoping you have a "non-yuck" day also~ ;)

stamps: Verve Wonderfully Made,Mama Elephant Trifecta 

paper: Georgia Pacific white,Bazzill yellow and blue

dies: Spellbinders Label 25 and Large Labels 

ink: Papertrey Ink True BLack

other: Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack),waxed ribbon

~A Pink Journaling Tree~

I pray you are having a hopeful morning


~despite your situation today.


There are no words for what some have experienced and are dealing with right now.


Believe me, if I had the right words, I would write them.


 I pray the Lord heal what was broken and bruised...


those precious hearts and minds that have been rattled.


~We are truly blessed, friends, to be alive while today is still today~

 

 

This leftover tree is from

 

 the journaling card I created here,

 

 

and it stared at me LONG ENOUGH from my cluttered desk.



It was too pretty and joyful to leave buried under scraps.



I funned the tree  up by


adding black and grey Copic coloring to the edges to give it a jazzy look.

 
 The dots are from my Sakura Souffle pen.


It takes a delicate touch to get the pouf (if you smear down too much, it will lay flat).


If you haven't used those pens, know that the shades are a bit lighter when they are completely dry.

I am entering this  card in


The Journaling Cards Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

It seemed natural to wrap the sentiment die cut around the card base,


because if I left it whole, it would have competed with the tree.



This falls in line with the theme of

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #193

(create a card or project where your focal image falls off the page)

I am also inspired by the pink pink fun here at

Inspired By #47

Take care~

supplies: Papertrey Ink (In the Meadow,Count My Blessings) dies, Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) journaling card, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair, Fiskars crimper

~Last Card for Papertrey October Blog Hop~

This was the day to invest my time in creating Christmas cards!

So here is my last for Papertrey Ink's October Blog Hop.

Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop

I am also entering this in the

Journaling Cards Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and

 Make It Monday #88

(positive and negative die cuts)

Have a wonderful evening~thanks for dropping by!

stamps: Papertrey Ink In the Meadow
ink: Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores and Aqua Mint,Staz On black,Memento Rose Bud
paper: My Mind's Eye Six By Six Everyday Flair,Georgia Pacific white
other: Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) journaling card
 dies: Papertrey Ink In the Meadow,Spellbinders classic circles

~A Great Calm~

I was able to make another card for the Virtual Stamp Day~Challenge #3.

The Verse is Mark 4:39.

Here is the sketch:

I played with my Gelatos last night...I've wanted them since viewing

Laurel's video.

I embossed this gorgeous scene (won last month~thank you Sweet 'n Sassy!)

with glossy white.

I tried a grittier embossing powder~Antique white~ first, but it trapped the color~do over!

 After it cooled I gelatoed all over it.

Don't get scared~it looks like you used crayons (when you were three)

until you add

a few swoops of a baby wipe or water.

It's a neat coloring experience!

Blessings~

Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy The Sea 

Other:Faber Castell Red Gelatos,white embossing powder,Martha Stewart Linked Trim punch,Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals and Label Four,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Tim Holtz Distress tool

Paper:Graphic 45,Pink Paislee,Authentique Fresh,Georgia Pacific white cardbase

Ink:Versamark,Papertrey Ink Premium Dye True Black

Word Art Wednesday July 25

This is my last week as guest designer for Word Art Wednesday.

It was such a blessing~thank you ladies, for having me!

Here is the card I created with this week's quote.

I suspect that most of the battles we face first, are in the mind.


It can be so discouraging when we take our eyes off of God and look at our feeble selves.


I KNOW I'm not all that.



But HE IS.


When I focus on that...I can face another day!




As for details on the construction of this card...

I resized the beautiful quote and printed it. Then, I stamped clouds from KaiserCraft's Fine & Sunny over the sentiments and cut them out.





The kite is from Pink Paislee's Prairie Hill-I heat embossed it with Stampendous Pearlustre Rubellite.




The arches were made by die cutting Spellbinders classic circles...four at the same time.




I sure hope you'll join us this week to share your work!




Also, check out the color combo at Color Throwdown #202

Sentiment:Word Art Wednesday
Stamps:Pink Paislee Prairie Hill kite,KaiserCraft Fine and Sunny clouds
Ink:Versamark,Ranger Jenni Bowlin Spice Tin and Weather Vane
Dies:Spellbinder classic circles
Paper:Bazzill,Making Memories Just Chillin'
Other:Martha Stewart border punch,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper

~Telephone Hello~

Embellish has a new challenge up!

Here is my creation:

I thought about all my dear friends across the globe who have spent countless hours laughing,crying,and praying with me (esp. during lonely deployments).

God bless them for their kind hearts and listening ears!

I appreciate you stopping in today~you're a blessing to me!

Stamps: My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Mabel, American Crafts Amy Tangerine Lovestruck

Ink:Memento Ink Bahama Blue,Versamark Ink

Paper:Georgia Pacific white,Piggy Tales DP,Pink Paislee DP,October Afternoon Sidewalks DP

Other:Martha Stewart border punch,Spellbinders scalloped circles,mini stapler,Tim Holtz distressing tool

~Flying High~

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #169 : Alphabet Letter

I used the letter "B": blue, bee and banner

Authentique Paper's May Sketch Challenge

I used Authentique paper packs Carefree and Genuine.

 I used Spellbinders Postage Stamp dies for the

Postage Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I'm also plugging this in to Paper Crafts 2012 Gallery Idol.

 Have a great day today and thanks for stopping by, it's always great to see bloggy friends!

Stamps:Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags,Pink Paislee Prairie Hill sentiment,KaiserCraft Fine & Sunny banner and clouds

Ink:Ranger Jenni Bowlin Spice Tin,Memento ink Potter's Clay and Rich cocoa

Paper:Authentique Carefree,Authentique Genuine,Georgia Pacific white

Markers:Sakura Gelly roll pen,Uni-ball pen

Dies:Spellbinders Postage Stamp

Embossing Powder: Ranger Weathered White Antiquities

~My Big Bicycle Seat~

Last week I rode my bike!

It's been 5 years since I've done that.

I guess I held off for many reasons...but now that I'm a seasoned "bear spotter" LOL, I might ride my bike more!

It was exhilarating! ;)

I'll be honest, I'm just glad I made it home without falling.

 

 

 

I'm also grateful I didn't hurt the next day.

 

 

I'm sure I owe it to this humongous seat

 

 

  

which makes the ride, ummm... less tortuous!

 

 

I was blessed to hear that they had such a thing, so I want to tell the world about it! ;)

My family teases this "extra luxury" (it looks a little silly from the back)

 

 

 

 but I DON'T CARE....I've had three children!

LOL.

Did you see they sell gel ones now too???

 

I might upgrade someday! hee hee hee

Here's my card I created.

 

The brad allows the sentiments to swing....my gadget girl coming out!!!

I know the seat isn't "an exact replication" of the one I ride on...

but it IS more attractive! LOL

Embellish Bicycle Trends Challenge

Doesn't that make you want to pull out your bike and explore? ;)

Have a blessed weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow!

Stamps:Unity You+Me=Bliss,Pink Paislee Prairie Hill

Ink:Memento ink bahama blue,Papertrey Ink true black

Paper:Making Memories Just Chillin' Boy and Girl paper pad,Georgia Pacific white

Other:Want2Scrap bling

~Your Time~

I needed a masculine card for a speaker who visited our homeschool class recently.

 

I've had this wonderful collection of "flash cards" from Pink Paislee (Daily Junque Ephemera Pack) that I won awhile back from Jaclyn's blog.

They're cool; but I've been unsure of how to use them.

This Bobunny paper seemed to marry with it well!

The colors from ColourQ Challenge #133 were perfect for this project.

The clock from Our Daily Bread Designs is nice and big, emphasizing the TIME FACTOR. ;)

Our Daily Bread Designs S-P-R-I-N-G Challenge:

S-staples (I love using staples...they are "officy" and they save my adhesive)

P-patterned paper...Bo Bunny's Weekend Market

I-ink  (gotta have ink!)  I recently got this Jenni Bowlin Weather Vane-LOVE IT.

 I also used Tim Holtz distress mustard seed for the sentiment and a Potter's Clay Memento marker to ink up the scallop from My Mind's Eye Rosy "Everything".

 

Simon Says Stamp and Show:Anything Goes

That's all for now-have a blessed day!

~Apart for Now~

The Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

You've got to go there and check out the inspirational photos...WOWZA! ;)

(Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage,Tradefish sentiment,Papertrey Ink premium dye true black,American Crafts AC cardstock neutral pack,Pink Paislee DP,Memento ink markers for the camouflage,MS fringe scissors)

My husband served 22 years.

We are retired now, but the military life was where we started.

There were many moments lost (birthdays and firsts).

What was missing God has put together and given back times 100. ;)

Thank your service people and pray for not only the soldiers...but those who are left behind.

Also, pray for their reunions!  

Piecing a family back together is the hardest struggle, sometimes, when the adrenalin rush and "I miss you" is done.

You've got a marriage that was spent mostly apart-sometimes you're almost strangers.

It takes a lot of work,faith,communication and GOD first to keep it all together, ya know?

~True Happiness~

True Happiness

When my husband was close to his military retirement a few years ago, the mailman asked him,

"Are you retired?"

My husband answered the best he could at the time, "Well, sort of."

To which the mailman replied with a thick, southern drawl,

"Either ya are, or ya aren't".

We still use that phrase around the house. ;)

True Happiness.

Either ya have it, or ya don't.

Not a challenge...just a thought. ;)

I'm not sure what I will write in this card or to whom I will send it.

The sentiment just seemed to fit the card. ;)

Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by.

ColourQ Challenge #108 

INFO:

Unity stamp set You+Me=Bliss, Papertrey ink,Piggy Tales DP,7gypsies DP,Pink Paislee DP,Scor-Pal,Kid's Jewelry Braiding Cord,clear embossing powder

~Sticky Note Holder~

I made a project today to give as a gift.

The covers of this sticky note holder were based off Papertrey Ink coasters.


I wrapped them in 5x5 DP and glued a strip connecting them with a 4X8(or so) strip of DP...the ribbon glued between each sandwich.

The silhouette image was stamped in brown and clear embossed.

I cut it out with Spellbinder scalloped ovals and edged it with Memento ink.

There's a cinnamon stick glued inside for a wonderful scent.

Hope she likes cinnamon! ;)

I used my brown Copic marker to color the buttons.

Embellish Magazine Buttons Color Trends Challenge

Just Add Ink JAI 90 Sketch Challenge

Thank you for stopping in today. ;)

INFO:

Teresa Collins' Posh stamps,Pink Paislee DP Tickets and Junque,Memento ink brown,clear embossing powder,Spellbinders Scalloped ovals,buttons colored with brown Copic,Papertrey Ink coasters