Work It Wednesday Stars and a Child at Heart

Here are a couple of "just because" cards for my stash.


It was fun stacking these barely used stars in my stamp pile & showcasing this "new to me" patterned paper as a backdrop.

(stamps: Hero Arts Glow Girl,Inkadinkado Patterned Stars)

Work It Wednesday January 2016



There was just something about this "checkered" heart against this circular green which caused me to card it when they met on my desk.

 (dies: My Favorite Things Die-namics Wonky Stitched Circle Stax, Verve Wavy Hearts, Papertrey Ink Songbirds)




 Simon Says Stamp (Monday): Love Is In the Air + Use Red


 Speaking of love...look at what my girlies blessed me with for my forty-sixth...

 Isn't he precious????


I'm adding him to my small list of Pop figures that make me smile.


Yes, I hope to always be a child at heart. ;)

Balance

I tend to be obsessive,

like, reeeeeally obsessive.

It's a blessing & a curse.

 I really really try to not let things absorb my whole world...

God's helping me with that~

(stamp:Unity All About Balance  dies:Avery Elle Wonky Stitches,Simon Says Stamp Greeting Blocks Wafer,Spellbinders Scalloped Circles  other:Copics, enamel dots)

Everyone in my house is happier when mom is well-rounded. ;()

Simon Says (Wednesday): Anything Goes

 Hope the rest of your day balances out too. ;)

3 Cards, 1 Sentiment

I love this sentiment so much, I made several cards with it. ;)

(stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Time, Sweet 'n Sassy *both retired* Timeless Classic gears/God Is)

(stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Time, Sweet 'n Sassy *retired* God Is, Papertrey Ink The Sweet Life  dies:Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo,Spellbinders Postage Stamp,Papertrey Ink The Sweet Life,My Favorite Things Horizontal Stitched Strips)

(stamps:Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie,Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps *retired* God Is  dies:Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie,Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo

 I love reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past ~ ensuring me that He will be there in the future.

These moments are our "memorial stones" (Joshua 4), if you will.

He's the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

 

  Word Art Wednesday Challenge #218-Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping in ~

They Get Me

My closest friends get me~

like, in a way I don't have to explain.

(stamps:My Favorite Things Let's Hang Out  dies: My Favorite Things Let's Hang Out,Papertrey Ink Bubble Talk)



When they burst out laughing in my presence,

 they are keepers/they get me. ;)
 


 Simon Says (Monday):Best Friends





Thanks for stopping by, friends!

Missing the Flowers

I love the nautical look...stripes, banners & movement.

I added a bit of bling like some do for a cruise and an unexpected sentiment...

just because. ;)

(stamp:Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle  dies:Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo, Avery Elle Wonky Stitches)

Check out this beautiful nautical photo~

Here is another card which heads in a floral direction.

I've been using florals more and more...I think it's cuz I miss the flowers!!!

(stamp: A Jillian Vance Design Coffee & Jesus  dies:My Favorite Things Horizontal Stitched Strips)

This patterned paper I've had for years was already done...

just added a focal sentiment to finish the look.

Hey, thanks for stopping by~

Thanks Girlie

I have tried to visit a scrapbook store numerous times this season, but it seems whenever we head to the area, it's on a closed day.


*insert sad face here*
 

So, when my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday...I replied,

"I wanna visit that scrapbook store I keep missing!"

He said "GO!".

 You don't have to tell this chic twice. ;)

He drove in one direction to replace a dishwasher with the girls and I flew in another towards that elusive store.


Yay, they were open!!!

*insert happy face here*

This sweet girlie grabbed my heart~

 and found a new home with a flower and sentiment.

(stamps: My Favorite Things Let's Hang Out,Papertrey Ink The Sweet Life,Sweet 'n Sassy Precious Poppies  dies:My Favorite Things Die-namics Wonky Stitched Circle Stax,Papertrey Ink The Sweet Life)

*ANYTHING GOES WITH PURPLE*


 Word Art Wednesday Challenge #218-Anything Goes



Thank you for stopping by~

Strange Bird Loves Orange

This is for my hubby.

 (stamp: Unity Best Year Yet  dies: Avery Elle Wonky Stitches,Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo)

I like my strange bird. ;)

 

Simon Says (Wednesday): Create With Critters

 This is from one strange bird to another~

Since he loves orange, I think this will be smiled at.

Have a good one~

 

 

Simple, Subtle Sympathy

One by one I'm adding to that sympathy card request...

(stamp: My Favorite Things Flowers Set 4  dies:Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo   other:American Crafts Amy Tangerine Bits)

Bold blooms, soft colors and tan backdrop are what I see in the following inspiration photo...

Here is another to fill my heart joyful again~

*I'm a sponge and can't help but be sad with sympathy cards*

(stamp: Hero Arts Live & Laugh die cuts:AC Amy Tangerine Bits/Maggie Holmes Confetti)

TODAY

is the day~

this is the one we get. ;)
 
Amen? 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #217: Anything Goes

Never Thirst

It might be a new year...

but in many ways I'm still old Marlena facing it. ;)


I'm ok with that, mostly.


 I'm learning to love the me that God created.


However, I'll admit there are days I am weary of even me.


So especially on those days,


I thirst,


for more~


more of HIM.


I don't think that's a bad thing.


In fact, less of me and more of HIM is my goal & my walk.

(stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Never Thirst  die: Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo  other: Pretty Pink Posh 4mm Clear Droplets (small))


In this card

I mixed an older stamp set (you can still find the lovely water pump) ...

with a new-to-me banner die and clear droplets.

I'm entering this wonderful challenge:

ODBDSLC269:Something New Something Old

Check out this other sweet challenge for encouragement & verses also:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #217: Anything Goes


I pray that this year God will equip me with new talents to face  new challenges...


and grace to forgive the old parts of me I'm not thrilled with.


May He be glorified through all of it.

 Thank you for your sweet visit & listening ears. ;0




 

Open Window

(stamps: Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie, Flourishes Calla Lilies  dies: My Favorite Things Peek A Boo Wonky Windows, Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie)

I used these colors

with an "open window"

for a simple "Thinking of You" creation.

It doesn't take much to let someone know you care. ;)

Sufferings vs the Glory

I know there will be pain this year.

There is pain every year, so why should 2016 be any different?

I shan't leave you with that, though,

because what a bummer, right?!

ha!

 Let me add this...

(stamps: Verve Scripture Medley 2, Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie/Year of the Flowers Rose dies: Avery Elle Wonky Stitches, Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie,Year of the Flowers Rose)



THIS is my hope.


 THIS is my prayer. ;)


By the grace of God, may He be glorified & we be encouraged.
 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #217: Anything Goes

As for the flowers...
the rosebud was stamped on my remaining orange ombre paper~wish I had more of it!

Glad I had enough for one bud. ;)

Simon Says (Wednesday): Ombre


Thanks for stopping in~


 

Shapes & Florals

I don't do girly girl in the traditional sense.


I'm a 70's/80's gal and bold shapes are what get me excited.
  
However, it's nice to make something "pretty" now and again. 

(stamp:Jillian Vance Coffee & Jesus, Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie   dies:My Favorite Things Die-namics Horizontal Stitched Strips, Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie, Simon Says Stamp Greeting Blocks)

Create Along With Us: January 2016

I found my happy with a rectangled/highlighted sentiment in the midst of lovelies.

Centered/framed sentiments and floral accents are a classic in Nichole's creation here~I LOVE the new Outlined set coming out!

With this happy combo~I MAY just bring out the flowers more often. ;)

Thanks for stopping in~

New Year Worries

I'm so relieved we survived 2015~what a blessing!

We are almost half way thru January and like clockwork...

2016 is already drawing up its worries.

New good, new bad...new everything.  ;)

I hold on to HOPE, 

because without it...

I. Am. Toast.

(stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 6  die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Peek-a-Boo Wonky Windows  other: American Crafts Confetti shapes)

 I paired a classic scripture set with a new die set I've acquired.

ODBDSLC269:Something New Something Old

Simon Says (Wednesday):Something New

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #217: Anything Goes

I'm going to do today and each day like I did 2015...

trusting HIM,

one. day. at. a. time.

So Sorry

I was asked to create sympathy cards~

but I put it off & put it off because

I find them the most challenging. ;(


I went with simple and respectful...

(stamp: My Favorite Things Flowers Set 4   dies:Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo,Spellbinders Postage Stamp)




The new-to-me banner die focuses on the sentiment.



Simon Says (Wednesday):Something New 

 I know this new year will be hard for many.

It's a new year without a precious loved one.

May we have eyes to see hurt and hearts to feel compassion.